Alcohol Depression Research Articles

Depressive symptoms and alcohol and drugs consumption in the female universe

BACKGROUND: The consumption of psychoactive substances has been historically associated to the male population but, there is evidence that the harm caused by these substances are more intense in women, including psychiatric disorders. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between depressive symptoms and alcohol and drugs in the female universe. METHOD: This is a descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional study with a sample of 23 women. Data collection was conducted in August and September 2015, in the Basic Health Units of the municipality of Picos - PI. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. RESULTS: predominant age group of 20 to 39 years, of which 39.1% were married and 56.5% are in work activities. We found an association between depressive symptoms and alcohol use (p = 0.031) and other drugs (p = 0.042) and showed that women with depressive symptoms exhibited a pattern of heavier alcohol consumption (mean = 9.36 points). CONCLUSION: it is necessary to train professionals in order to identify the main risk factors, enhance prevention and improve care.

Validity of Beck′s depression inventory and alcohol use disorders identification test in Nigeria′s Niger Delta region

Background: The Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) have been validated for use in the study of alcohol related psychiatric disorders in the developed world as well as in Western Nigeria, but not in the Niger Delta Region. Aim: To ascertain the psychometric properties of BDI and AUDIT for use in this part of the world using psychiatric out-patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Methods: Four hundred and seventy (470) subjects were enlisted into the study using systematic sampling technique. The BDI and AUDIT were administered to each of them. One hundred and eighty five (185) subjects met the criteria for the second stage viz; a score of 18 and above on the BDI and/or a score of 5 and above on the AUDIT. Diagnoses of Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder were made using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the BDI were 96.3% and 58.8% respectively. The positive and negative predictive values of BDI were 86% and 85.7% respectively. Also, the sensitivity and specificity of the AUDIT were 100% and 92.1%. Furthermore, the positive and negative predictive values of the AUDIT were 85.5% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: The BDI and AUDIT have excellent psychometric properties; hence they are valid for carrying out studies on alcohol related psychiatric disorders.

Depressive Disorders, Antidepressant Use, and Alcohol Dependency in Persons With Community-Associated Clostridium difficile Infection, Minnesota 2013–2014

Depressive Disorders, Antidepressant Use, and Alcohol Dependency in Persons With Community-Associated Clostridium difficile Infection, Minnesota 2013–2014

Eating Disorders and Associated Health Risks Among University Students

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of eating disorders among university students and its relationship to behavioral characteristics and substance use. DesignCross-sectional study collected socioeconomic characteristics and behavioral risk. SettingUniversity of Upper Normandy, France. ParticipantsUniversity student volunteers. Phenomenon of InterestThe Sick, Control, One stone, Fat, Food (SCOFF) screening test was used to identify subjects with eating disorders by a confidential questionnaire self-administered either online or on paper. AnalysisMultivariate logistic regression models with P < .05 considered significant. ResultsA total of 3,457 students were included with a male-to-female ratio of 0.57. The prevalence of positive SCOFF screening was 20.5% among students. A positive relation between the positive SCOFF was observed with female gender (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.28–3.89; P < .001), stress (AOR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.09–1.12; P < .001), depression (AOR, 8.62; 95% CI, 3.37–22.10; P < .001) alcohol abuse problems (AOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.20–1.95; P = .006), and risk of cyber-addiction (AOR, 5.09; 95% CI, 2.69–9.62; P < .001). Conclusions and ImplicationsEating disorders are highly prevalent among university students in France and associated with other behavior risks, stress, and depression. It might prove necessary in the future to screen students with the SCOFF questionnaire upon entry to the university to inform student about the risk of eating disorders and advise them to consult with their general practitioner.

El efecto aditivo en el diagnóstico dual: una revisión del funcionamiento cognitivo de pacientes con depresión mayor y alcoholismo

The comorbidity between major depressive disorder (MDD) and alcohol dependence (AD) is known as dual diagnosis (DD). It has been suggested that patients with this comorbidity display a more severe autonomic and mood symptoms compared to patients with a single diagnosis. However, the additive effect of cognitive deficits in this population has hardly been studied. The objective of this study was to present a summary of the current information on neurocognitive alterations in patients with DD (MDD-AD). The search was conducted using ScienceDirect and PubMed with the keywords: dual diagnosis; depression; alcoholism; cognitive functioning; neuropsychological performance; cognitive impairment; cognitive impairment and neuropsychology. The findings of the studies reported in this paper suggest that patients with DD show impairment in specific cognitive domains; and that their deficits do not seem to show an additive effect of two separate disorders.

Suicidality in Australian Vietnam veterans and their partners

Lifetime suicidality was assessed in a cohort of 448 ageing Australian Vietnam veterans and 237 female partners during in-person structured psychiatric interviews that permitted direct comparison with age-sex matched Australian population statistics. Relative risks for suicidal ideation, planning and attempts were 7.9, 9.7 and 13.8 times higher for veterans compared with the Australian population and for partners were 6.2, 3.5 and 6.0 times higher. Odds ratios between psychiatric diagnoses and suicidality were computed using multivariate logistic regression, and suicidality severity scores were assigned from ideation, planning and attempt, and analysed using ordinal regression. PTSD, depression alcohol disorders, phobia and agoraphobia were prominent predictors of ideation, attempts and suicidal severity among veterans, while depression, PTSD, social phobia and panic disorder were prominent predictors among partners. For veterans and their partners, PTSD is a risk factor for suicidality even in the presence of other psychiatric disorders, and is stronger in Vietnam veterans than their partners.

Six-month outcome in bipolar spectrum alcoholics treated with acamprosate after detoxification: a retrospective study.

Background: Glutamate system is modified by ethanol and contributes both to the euphoric and the dysphoric consequences of intoxication, but there is now growing evidence that the glutamatergic system also plays a central role in the neurobiology and treatment of mood disorders, including major depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. We speculate that, using acamprosate, patients with bipolar depression (BIP-A) can take advantage of the anti-glutamate effect of acamprosate to “survive” in treatment longer than peers suffering from non-bipolar depression (NBIP-A) after detoxification. Method: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of a long-term (six-month) acamprosate treatment, after alcohol detoxification, in 41 patients (19 males and 22 females), who could be classified as depressed alcoholics, while taking into account the presence/absence of bipolarity. Results: During the period of observation most NBIP-A patients relapsed, whereas a majority of BIP-A patients were still in treatment at the end of their period of observation. The cumulative proportion of ‘surviving’ patients was significantly higher in BIP-A patients, but this finding was not related to gender or to other demographic or clinically investigated characteristics. The treatment time effect was significant in both subgroups. The treatment time-group effect was significant (and significantly better) for bipolar patients on account of changes in the severity of their illness. Limitations: Retrospective methodology and the lack of DSM criteria in diagnosing bipolarity. Conclusions: Bipolarity seems to be correlated with the efficacy of acamprosate treatment in inducing patients to refrain from alcohol use after detoxification (while avoiding relapses) in depressed alcoholics. Placebo-controlled clinical trials are now warranted to check the validity of this hypothesis.

Эффективность акупунктуры и фототерапии в коррекции эректильной дисфункции у больных невротической депрессией

Sexual dysfunction in men, limiting their reproductive capabilities, prevent the achievement of marital and sexual life as a couple, break the stability of marriage, adversely affect mental health, lead to the development of neurotic and depressive disorders, alcohol abuse and antisocial behaviour.&#x0D; In recent years, interest in the problem of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction has increased worldwide. But, despite this, many researchers believe that erectile dysfunction of vascular origin ranks second in frequency after disorders due to psychogenic factors.&#x0D; Therapy of sexual disorders with neurotic depression has a number of obstacles due to absence of system-structural approach to sexopathologist syndromes. It is necessary to search new possibilities of correction of sexual disorders in patients with neurotic depression.&#x0D; The purpose of this study was to develop and to justify pathogenetically the method of combined use of phototherapy and acupuncture for the correction of sexual disorders to improve the effect of treatment in men with neurotic depression.&#x0D; 80 patients with neurotic depression and erectile dysfunction prior to the application of medical facilities and at the end of treatment were examined. The results of treatment were: restoration of sexual function, decrease or disappearance of neurasthenic complaints (irritability, fatigue, headaches, dyssomnia, psycho-emotional, vegetative-vascular disorders, and others), normalization of libido and paraclinical data (psychological testing, electrophysiological parameters).&#x0D;

Type and severity of intimate partner violence and its relationship with PTSD in HIV-infected women

HIV has an impact on the presence and severity of both intimate partner violence (IPV) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in infected women. However, the relationship of type and severity of IPV with PTSD in this population has not been adequately explored. We focus on the association between the type and severity of IPV and HIV status and PTSD in a sample of South African women. One hundred and sixty-nine women (114 HIV-positive and 55 HIV-negative controls), matched for geographical area, education, and socio-economic status, were recruited from HIV clinics. Clinical and demographic data were collected, including data on childhood trauma, other traumatic life events, IPV, posttraumatic stress symptoms, problematic alcohol use, and depressive symptoms. HIV-positive women had significantly more depressive symptoms, alcohol abuse, and childhood trauma exposure as well as significantly higher rates of PTSD (25.4%) when compared with uninfected women (10.9%). No significant group differences in the rate, pattern, and severity of physical, sexual, psychological, injury, and negotiation IPV were found. In logistic regression analysis, the rate and severity category of IPV did not significantly predict PTSD in HIV-positive women when childhood trauma and life events were controlled for. Our results indicate the need for screening for alcohol abuse, PTSD and depressive symptoms at HIV wellness, and ARV clinics. The high rates of PTSD in HIV-positive women indicate the need for specialized programs to manage PTSD and minimize negative sequelae in this population. These results also highlight the need for improved screening and prevention of childhood trauma and IPV both in infected and uninfected women.

Change in Neurocognition in People with Co-occurring Alcohol Misuse and Depression: 12-Month Follow-up

Objective: Co-occurring alcohol misuse and depression (CAD) are highly prevalent and are both with associated cognitive impairments. Few studies have assessed how cognitive functioning changes over time in association with improvements in alcohol use and/or depression. This is the first study to assess cognitive function and symptoms of depression and alcohol use in a CAD sample at baseline and again at 12-months. We explored whether reduction in alcohol use or improvement in symptoms of depression were associated with changes in cognitive functioning. Methods: Neuropsychological assessment was administered at baseline and after 12-months in a CAD sample of 71 people who had participated in a psychological intervention in the interim. Changes in alcohol use and depression over 12 months were interpreted as potential factors in improvement in neuropsychological function. Results: Depressive symptoms and alcohol use improved over 12-months while overall neuropsychological test performance was stable. Improvement in verbal memory, working memory and executive function was predicted by improvement in depressive symptoms measured by the BDI-II, but not by change in alcohol use quantity or frequency of heavy drinking. Conclusion: Among people with CAD, alleviation of the symptoms of depression may have greater influence on cognitive functioning in areas such as memory and executive function, than a reduction in alcohol use. Further treatment outcome research in CAD samples should include neurocognitive assessments in order to elucidate our understanding of cognitive impairments and potential improvements with intervention.

EPA-0588 – Staff support groups in prevention of professional burnout syndrome

Numerous studies in the field of mental health of health professionals have shown that the medical profesionals and employees in other caring professions have a higher rate of psychological morbidity with high rate of anxiety and depressive disorders, suicide, alcohol and substance abuse as well as of the professional burnout syndrome (Tillet, 2003). One way of improving the functioning of both mediacal teams and individuals is the implementation of group support or psychological help for helpers. These groups promote the practice of open communications, provide safe place and time in which people can mutually exchange help and learn to express and discuss difficult emotional reactions and alow use of full range of emotional responses in order to improve the care of patientes and better functioning of the working teams(Hartley and Kennard, 2009). The aim of this paper is presentation of personal experience in the facilitator role of such a group, conducted during 8 weeks with medical professionals at the Clinical Hospital Center’Dr Dragi?a Mi?ovic-Dedinje’in Belgrade, and evaluation of effects this grup support interventions on level decrease of anxiety, depression, and burnout in high stressful work conditions. In research methodology we use measure instruments: relevant social and demografic data, Maslach Burnout Inventory, The Symptom Check list 90-R, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Self-Evaluation Questionnaire for quality of group interventions.

Difference in diet between a general population national representative sample and individuals with alcohol use disorders, but not individuals with depressive or anxiety disorders

Background: Mental disorders influence diet and food consumption, but there is a lack of consistent findings. Aims: To investigate food consumption, nutrient intakes and serum metabolic biomarkers in depressive, anxiety and alcohol use disorders in comparison with the remaining from a population-based nationwide sample. Methods: The study was based on the Health 2000 Survey data of which 5504 subjects aged 30 and over (3009 women and 2495 men) were used for the analysis. Depressive disorder, anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders were diagnosed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI). The consumption of food and beverage items, and nutrient intakes were measured with a validated food frequency questionnaire, and the concentrations of biomarkers were determined in blood samples. Results: Overall, no similar differences with both genders were found in the intakes of energy, dietary fibre or macronutrients or in biomarkers in depressive or anxiety disorders. Women suffering from depressed disorder consumed more soft drinks (P = 0.034) and women suffering from anxiety disorders consumed more oils (P = 0.001), polyunsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.001) and less potatoes (P = 0.002) than the remaining participants. Men suffering from depressive disorder consumed less sweets and chocolate (P = 0.001) and men with anxiety disorder consumed more tea (P = 0.033) compared with the remaining participants. In alcohol use disorders, the intake of carbohydrate was lower in both genders (P = 0.001 for women, P = 0.001 for men). Conclusions: A difference in the usual diet exists between individuals with alcohol use disorders and the remaining participants on a population level. No consistent difference in both genders between those with depressive or anxiety disorders and the remaining was found.

Depressive symptomology and alcohol use among college students: the role of perceived drinking norms

This study examined the role of normative perceptions of peer drinking in the relationship between depressive symptoms and alcohol use among college students. Participants (n = 225, 73.3% female) completed measures of depressive symptoms, alcohol use, descriptive alcohol norms, and injunctive norms. Results revealed a positive relationship between depressive symptoms and alcohol consumption, as well as between depressive symptoms and normative perceptions. Perceived norms either completely or partially mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and alcohol outcomes. These findings suggest that individuals who experience more depressive symptoms may be more susceptible to peer influences related to drinking. In particular, they may perceive their close friends to drink more and to approve of excessive drinking, which in turn predict their own drinking behavior. To minimize alcohol-related harms among college student drinkers experiencing depressive symptoms, secondary prevention programs that ai...

P.6.b.006 Differences in depression according to history of suicide attempts among inpatients with depression and acute alcohol intoxification

P.6.b.006 Differences in depression according to history of suicide attempts among inpatients with depression and acute alcohol intoxification

S24 * NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS

S24 * NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS

Time-course and Severity of Acute Effects of Tobacco Abstinence in Smokers with Subclinical Depressive Symptoms or Alcohol Consumption

Introduction: Smokers with depressive and alcohol use disorders report more severe tobacco abstinence effects (e.g., tobacco withdrawal and craving, mood and sleep disturbance), but less is known about abstinence effects among smokers with subclinical features of these disorders.Aims: The time-course and severity of acute abstinence effects were evaluated in smokers with and without subclinical depressive symptoms (DEP) and with and without subclinical alcohol consumption (ALC). Methods: Participants (N = 106) received smoking cessation counselling and were contingently compensated for biochemically-verified smoking abstinence. Abstinence effects were assessed pre-quit and daily for eight days post-quit.Results/Findings: Seventy-four participants (70%) achieved eight-day continuous smoking abstinence. Generalised estimating equations revealed that time and DEP group significantly interacted to predict change in Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) Anxiety (Wald = 21.18, p &lt; .01) and Questionnaire of Smoking Urges Relief from Negative Affect (Wald = 20.12, p &lt; .01) subscale scores. Time and ALC group significantly interacted to predict change in Profile of Mood States (POMS) Fatigue subscale score (Wald = 19.78, p &lt; .01). Compared to non-DEP smokers, DEP smokers reported higher mean post-quit scores on several measures of abstinence effects, including WSWS Sadness and POMS Total; however, pre-quit differences between DEP groups may have confounded post-quit differences.Conclusions: Smokers with subclinical depressive symptoms endorsed high levels of abstinence effects, but it was unclear if these were related to the absence of tobacco. Smokers with subclinical alcohol consumption did not endorse high levels of abstinence effects but abstinence-related fatigue took longer to improve.

Is methoxydine a new rapid acting antidepressant for the treatment of depression in alcoholics?

Methoxydine is a dissociative anaesthetic belonging to the arylcyclohexylamine class. This substance shows pharmacodynamic similarities with ketamine, a medication with demonstrated rapid-acting antidepressant effects. Like ketamine, results of binding assays have shown that methoxydine is an uncompetitive antagonist of NMDA receptor approximately as potent as ketamine, but less potent than PCP. Furthermore, unlike ketamine, it acts as a dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor as well as an agonist at sigma-1, sigma-2, and opioid receptors. The hypothesis is that methoxydine can produce rapid antidepressant effects in depressed patients with high risk of suicide, including depressed alcoholics.

Mirtazapine in Comorbid Major Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

To date, pharmacotherapy trials of depressed alcoholics (MDD/AUD) have focused on SSRI medications, with disappointing results, so effective treatments for that comorbid population are lacking. Mirtazapine is an FDA-approved medication for treating MDD with a unique pharmacological profile whose efficacy may exceed that of SSRIs. Results from our recent open label study suggest robust acute phase efficacy for mirtazapine for decreasing both the depression and the drinking of that population. However, to date, no studies have evaluated the longer-term efficacy of mirtazapine in that population. We now report findings from a first long-term (two-year) naturalistic follow-up evaluation involving subjects from the acute phase trial. We hypothesized that the improvements would persist at follow-up. An eight-week open label study of mirtazapine and motivation therapy was conducted involving persons 18 to 55 years of age with DSM-IV diagnoses of comorbid MDD/AD. Two years after entry into the acute phase study, a long-term evaluation was conducted using the same instruments that had been used at baseline to assess whether the improvements seen during the acute phase trial had persisted. Ten of the twelve patients who entered the acute phase study participated in the follow-up study. The large magnitude improvements (p<.01) in depressive symptoms (BDI), drinking (TLFB), and sleep disturbance (HDRS) persisted at the follow-up evaluation. Two of the subjects demonstrated MDD on structured interview at follow-up, while all ten had demonstrated MDD at baseline. Six of the ten used antidepressants during the follow-up period. At baseline, three were employed, while at follow-up seven were employed. These findings suggest long-term efficacy for mirtazapine for decreasing the drinking and depression of depressed alcoholics. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are warranted to clarify the efficacy of mirtazapine in depressed alcoholics.

2152 – The total serum cholesterol in alcoholics with secundary depression

Introduction High rate of depression and suicide found in alcoholics. Low total serum cholesterol is related with suicidal behavior, impulsivity and depression. Alcoholics have elevated serum triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, but lower values of HDL-cholesterol. Objectives To investigate the serum cholesterol levels and differences between secondary depressed and non-depressed alcoholics biochemical blood tests were performed. Methods A total group of eighty six non-cirrhotic male primary alcoholics, without malnutrition was recruited during inpatient treatment. After 4 weeks alcoholics were divided in the depressive (DA) group and non-depressive NDA group according the Hamilton Depression Rating scale- HAMD cut-off score under 8. Biochemical blood tests were performed for all participants on admission and retrospectively were analyzed. Differences between groups were tested by Student t-test. Results There were not significant difference among groups for demographic and biochemical serum parameters. The DA group showed lower level of total serum cholesterol (5,9 ± 1.24) than NDA group (6.4 ± 1.20) on admission, with values between normal rang (3.63-6.7 mmol/l) p = 0.072. Conclusion The group of depressive alcoholics showed trend of lower level of total serum cholesterol on admission. It would be useful to investigate low serum cholesterol as possible predictive factor of secondary depression among alcoholics.

581 – 6-month outcomes of a single blind randomised trial of supportive text messaging for depression and comorbid alcohol use disorder

Background and objectives Supportive text messages have the potential to provide personalised support for patients with depression and co-morbid Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The objectives of the study are to explore the six months follow-up effects of twice daily supportive text messages delivered over a three month period on mood and abstinence outcomes for patients with depression and co-morbid AUD. Methods Participants (n=54) with a DSM IV diagnosis of unipolar depression and AUD who completed an in-patient dual diagnosis treatment programme were randomised to receive twice daily supportive text messages (n = 26) or a fortnightly thank you text message (n = 28) for three months. Primary outcome measures at six months were Beck's Depression Inventory (BDIII) scores and Cumulative Abstinence Duration (CAD). Trial registration: NCT0137868. Results Unlike at three months, there was no statistically significant difference in six month BDI-II scores between the intervention (n=24) and control (n=24) groups; 13.28 (SD=8.7) vs. 15.08 (SD=11.37) respectively after adjusting for the baseline scores, F (1, 45) =0.192, p=0.66. There was also no significant difference in CAD between the text message group and the control group: 84.14 days (9.20) vs. 74.73 days (28.97), t= 1.422, df=41, p=0.16. However, patients in the intervention group had significantly higher days to first drink compared to those in the control group: 119.9 (47.7) vs. 62.4 (44.9), t=2.99, df=22, p=0.01. Conclusion The effects of supportive text message intervention were not sustained beyond the period that the patients were receiving the intervention.