Abstract
BackgroundDepressive symptoms are common among psychiatric patients with alcohol dependence (AD). However, the prevalence and clinical correlates of comorbid depressive symptoms are less well studied in Chinese Han patients.MethodsIn this hospital-based survey, we recruited 378 psychiatric patients diagnosed with AD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). All patients completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to evaluate depressive symptoms and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to assess the severity of drinking.ResultsCompared to patients without depressive symptoms, 48.9% (185/378) of the patients with comorbid depressive symptoms were younger, had a more unstable marital status, had a higher AUDIT total score, and had a higher adverse consequences subscore (all P < 0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that unstable marital status (Odds ratios [OR] = 2.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–3.99) and AUDIT total score (OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.03–1.11) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms.ConclusionsOur findings indicate high comorbidity between AD and depressive symptoms in Chinese psychiatric patients. Moreover, some variables are correlates of comorbid depressive symptoms. Particular attention should be paid to the early detection and intervention for this comorbid condition and its risk factors.
Highlights
Alcohol dependence (AD) and depression commonly co-occur [1, 2]
The inclusion criteria for the study were that the patients aged≥18 years, and the patients had the diagnosis of AD which was made by trained psychiatrists according to the DSM-IV criterion for alcohol dependence
A total of 185 (48.9%, 95% CI: 43.9–54.0%) of 378 AD patients met the criteria for depressive symptoms (BDI total score ≥14), and 193 (52.1%) did not
Summary
Alcohol dependence (AD) and depression commonly co-occur [1, 2]. Lai et al conducted a meta-analysis of 22 community-based studies and found that the pooled odds ratio for AD and major depression was 3.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.38–4.03) [8]. In another hospital-based survey, alcohol abuse was strongly associated with depressive symptoms (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.51–4.40) [9]. The prevalence and clinical correlates of comorbid depressive symptoms are less well studied in Chinese Han patients
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