Psychosocial Factors of Alcohol Dependence in Woman Interrelated with Lesch's Typology of Alcoholism

Abstract

Objectives This work focuses on the identification of features that differentiate the onset, course, and complications of alcohol dependence in women and men. Materials and methods 854 people participated in the study: 181 women and 403 men with alcohol dependence (AD) were qualified to the study group. Controls were healthy 100 women and 170 men. Standardized diagnostic tools were used to assess psychological predispositions and behavioral features. AUDIT, STAI, Anton's OCDS and Lesch's typology (computer version) were used to assess psychopathological symptoms of the addiction. Alcohol biomarker results were a valuable help in the diagnostic process and differential diagnosis. Liver enzyme assays, including GPT, GOT, GGT and CDT, were done. Some genetic polymorphisms were examinesd – DRD2, DAT, 5HTT. Results and Conclusions 1. Psychological predispositions that determine AD in women include anxiety and depressiveness. 2. Environmental risk factors of alcoholism in women include guardianship in childhood by grandparents and widowhood. 3. Women with AD revealed more health problems associated with markers of liver damage. AD in men progressed at a faster pace, with early onset, greater incidence of psychiatric and neurological complications, coexistence of other addictions, and indicators of personality disorders. 4. While the clinical picture of female alcoholics corresponds to types 2 and 3 according to Lesch, the clinical picture of male alcoholics correlates to types 1 and 4 according to Lesch. 4. No differences were found both in male and female patients with regard to genes polymorphisms in the subtypes of alcoholism according to Lesch.