Abstract
To examine the incidence and prevalence of alcohol dependence (AD) in the United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA) population. A retrospective study was performed using the VHA Medical SAS datasets from 2011-2015. AD patients were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code 303. Using sex-specific age groups, age- and gender-adjusted prevalence and incidence rates (overall and specified by age group and sex) were calculated using direct standardization for the US population aged ≥65 years or older in 2010. The annual adjusted overall prevalence of AD increased from 0.40% (2011) to 0.59% (2015). Throughout the study period, AD was more prevalent among men than women, and showed a stable increase from 0.61% (2011) to 0.89% (2015). The prevalence of AD patients decreased with an increase in age. From 2011 to 2015, patients aged 65-69 years had the highest prevalence, ranging from 1.09% to 1.61%. Black patients had the highest prevalence for each year in the study period, ranging from 0.61% to 0.89%. The overall adjusted incidence decreased from 0.53% in 2011 to 0.21% in 2015. Male AD patients had higher incidence than female patients throughout the study period, and rates decreased steadily from 0.79% in 2011, to 0.33% in 2015. From 2011-2015, incidence was highest among patients aged 65-69 years, ranging from 0.92% to 0.38% and decreased as age increased. Likewise, Black patients had the highest incidence in 2011 (0.83%), 2012 (0.57%), 2014 (0.45%), and 2015 (0.26%); incidence was highest among patients of other race in 2013 (0.49%). Findings indicated a steady increase in the prevalence and decrease in incidence of AD from 2011 to 2015. Black males aged 65-69 years had a higher probability of being diagnosed with AD.
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