Trends in Rates of Hospitalization with a Diagnosis of Substance Abuse among Reproductive-Age Women, 1998 to 2003

Objective

To describe trends in hospitalizations with a diagnosis of substance abuse among reproductive-age women from 1998–2003.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Hospitalizations with a diagnosis of substance abuse were categorized into subgroups by age, primary expected payer, substance-specific diagnoses, concomitance, and hospital location. Trends in hospitalization rates per 100,000 women aged 15–44 were tested using a weighted least-squares method.

Results

From 1998–2003, there was no change in the overall rate of hospitalization with a diagnosis of substance abuse among women aged 15–44. Alcohol abuse was the most common substance-specific diagnosis. The rate of hospitalization with a diagnosis of cocaine abuse decreased 22%; for a diagnosis of cannabis abuse, the rate increased 35%. The rate of hospitalization with a diagnosis of amphetamine abuse doubled from 1998–2003. Among women aged 15–24, the rate of hospitalization with a diagnosis of substance abuse increased 23%.

Conclusion

Although we did not observe a change in the overall rate of substance-abuse hospitalization among reproductive-age women, there were dramatic changes in the rate of substance-specific diagnoses. These data may be used to quantify emerging trends in substance abuse and promote the use of hospital-based interventions.