Alcohol Syndrome Research Articles

Thoughts about dropping out of studies as warning sign for suicidal ideation and mental health problems in male university students

Despite increasing rates for suicidal ideation in university students, male students remain reluctant in reporting such thoughts. It is thus paramount to establish more easily detectable risk factors for male students. The present study examines study dropout thoughts as potential low-treshold risk factor as well as gender-differences in established risk patterns. A total of N = 4894 German university students (24.6% men) completed a cross-sectional online survey on their mental health at the University of Cologne. In addition to sociodemographic and questions related to university studies (e.g., dropping out of studies), the Patient Health Questionnaire D (PHQ-D) was used to assess psychological syndromes (any psychological syndrome, depressive syndrome, alcohol syndrome), life stressors and suicidal ideation. Study dropout thoughts were more prevalent among male students, while being associated with increased suicidal ideation for both genders assessed. For all outcomes, significant gender-differences were observed with financial stress and a recent bad experience being risk factors for suicidal ideation in men but not women. Relationship problems, problems at work and current psychotherapy use were positively associated with suicidal ideation in women but not in men. Thus, study dropout thoughts were associated with suicidal ideation in university students and there were male-specific risk patterns for suicidal ideation and associated mental health problems. Consequently, male university students reporting study dropout thoughts or financial stress should be screened for suicidality and mental health problems. Future prevention measures in the University context should consider study dropout thoughts and male-specific risk-patterns to increase the chances to detect male student’s suicidality and to improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention programs for men.

New Perspectives in Psychopathology and Psychological Well-being by Using Forest Therapy: A Systematic Review

Background: Forest therapy is the clinical application of Shinrin-Yoku, also known as forest bathing. Specifically, the term Shinrin-Yoku refers to what is known as “a bath in the air of the forest”, which is carried out by walking and observing the landscapes of nature. In recent years, ecopsychology has become increasingly interested in the use of forest therapy as a credible, eco-sustainable, and easily adaptable treatment. The idea is to borrow the typical techniques of mindfulness and apply them to environmental contexts to verify if this leads to a better physical and mental well-being of the individual. Given the few contexts in which forest therapy is applied, this article aims to investigate, through a review of available literature, the applications of forest therapy existing in various severe or mild disorders in order to understand if this technique can represent a credible alternative to traditional treatments, and consequently arouse the interest of future experimental research in different contexts. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 guidelines that allowed us to identify n = 7 unique papers to be included in our analysis. Results: Forest therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for improving a range of psychological and physiological parameters in college students, the elderly, women with postmenopausal insomnia, patients with alcoholism syndrome, patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), patients with chronic widespread pain, and psychiatric patients. Conclusion: The analyzed studies are not yet able to tell us if forest therapy is better than traditional treatments. However, the effectiveness demonstrated in the studies provides empirical evidence of the credibility of forest therapy and leads to new scenarios for more eco-sustainable, versatile, affordable, and adaptable therapies according to the needs of the patients.

What is the Korsakoff syndrome? – a paper in tribute to Prof Alwyn Lishman

ABSTRACT Introduction Alwyn Lishman was interested in how memory research could be applied to clinical psychiatry. After a brief review of his major contributions, this paper will focus on his research on the alcoholic Korsakoff syndrome. It will consider how his findings relate to contemporary debates, particularly on how the syndrome should be defined, and its relationship to broader alcohol-induced cognitive impairments. Methods A review of the contribution of Alwyn Lishman, Robin Jacobson and colleagues to our knowledge of Korsakoff’s syndrome, together with a review of the pertinent recent literature. Results Lishman and colleagues followed earlier authors in defining the Korsakoff syndrome in terms of disproportionate memory impairment, but they also noted a variable degree of IQ, frontal-executive, and timed visuo-spatial impairment in their cases. More recent authors have included such features in their definitions of the syndrome. Lishman also argued for a specific “alcoholic dementia”. The present paper argues that recent definitions of the Korsakoff syndrome confound its core and associated features, and also fail to recognise the multifactorial basis of alcohol-related brain damage. Conclusions Korsakoff’s syndrome is best defined in terms of disproportionate memory impairment, and more widespread cognitive impairment is best encompassed within “alcohol-related brain damage”.

Can Alcohol and Obesity be Considered Risk Factors for Diabetes Mellitus? (environmental study)

Rationale: The literature recognizes a causal relationship between alcohol consumption and the burden of noncommunicable chronic disease (NCD). Objective: To investigate the relationship between the maximum and minimum consumption of alcoholic beverages (AB) and metabolic syndrome (MS), the burden of diabetes mellitus, pancreatic cancer, nephritis and alcoholism in 158 countries in 2004. Methods: U-Mann-Whitney test (UMY) and multiple linear regression analysis (MRA) were used for data analysis; GBD databases 2004; FAO 1990-2005. Results: Studies have shown that the maximum and minimum consumption of alcoholic beverages (AP) in the countries of the world differed 108 times and amounted to 343 grams per person per day, excluding gender and age (p≤0.001). The 20 countries with the highest AB versus the 20 countries with the lowest AB were 14 times higher per capita income (p≤0.001); the burden of pancreatic cancer is 3.5 times higher in men and women (p≤0.001); the burden of alcoholism is 8 times higher for men, 18 times for women (p≤0.001); 2 times in men, the burden of diabetes mellitus is 3 times lower in women and the burden of nephritis is 7 times lower in men and women (p≤0.001). In countries with maximum AB, the predictors of metabolic syndrome - MS (% of men and women in a country with MS impairment) were 2 times higher (p≤0.001). Conclusions: In countries with the highest AB consumption, the burden of alcoholism and pancreatic cancer is several times higher predictors of MS, but the burden of diabetes and nephritis is lower. Gender differences in the studied characteristics are noted. Further research is needed on the nature of the relationship between alcohol consumption and NCD to develop prevention methods.

Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Syndromes and Their Clinical Management

Withdrawal syndromes are clusters of signs and symptoms that occur with cessation or decrease in use of a substance. All substance withdrawal syndromes are classified and diagnosed based on criteria published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). All withdrawal syndromes range in their ability to cause significant medical and/or psychiatric consequences. Alcohol withdrawal remains a medically serious syndrome that can occur within hours to days of decreased use and result in hallucinations, delirium, seizures, and death. Despite increasing research into the type, frequency, dose, and route of administration, benzodiazepines remain the first-line treatment in preventing alcohol withdrawal complications. Although typically not medically severe, opioid withdrawal is often associated with relapse even after successful detoxification. Opioid-agonist therapy, including methadone and buprenorphine, remains the treatment of choice for both opioid withdrawal and relapse prevention. Stimulant withdrawal from cocaine or amphetamines can cause significant psychiatric symptoms within minutes to hours of cessation and may require psychiatric hospitalization for suicidal ideation or attempts. There are no current medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of stimulant withdrawal. Cannabis withdrawal, although not medically dangerous, has recently been adopted as a discrete syndrome in the DSM-5. Its severity correlates significantly with the amount of cannabis used, functional impairment, and ability to achieve sustained remission. There are no current medications approved by the FDA for treatment of cannabis withdrawal. This review contains 6 figures, 13 tables, and 101 references. Key words: alcohol, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cannabis, clonidine, cocaine, dexmedetomidine, methadone, opioid, phenobarbital, stimulant, withdrawal

Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Syndromes and Their Clinical Management

Withdrawal syndromes are clusters of signs and symptoms that occur with cessation or decrease in use of a substance. All substance withdrawal syndromes are classified and diagnosed based on criteria published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). All withdrawal syndromes range in their ability to cause significant medical and/or psychiatric consequences. Alcohol withdrawal remains a medically serious syndrome that can occur within hours to days of decreased use and result in hallucinations, delirium, seizures, and death. Despite increasing research into the type, frequency, dose, and route of administration, benzodiazepines remain the first-line treatment in preventing alcohol withdrawal complications. Although typically not medically severe, opioid withdrawal is often associated with relapse even after successful detoxification. Opioid-agonist therapy, including methadone and buprenorphine, remains the treatment of choice for both opioid withdrawal and relapse prevention. Stimulant withdrawal from cocaine or amphetamines can cause significant psychiatric symptoms within minutes to hours of cessation and may require psychiatric hospitalization for suicidal ideation or attempts. There are no current medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of stimulant withdrawal. Cannabis withdrawal, although not medically dangerous, has recently been adopted as a discrete syndrome in the DSM-5. Its severity correlates significantly with the amount of cannabis used, functional impairment, and ability to achieve sustained remission. There are no current medications approved by the FDA for treatment of cannabis withdrawal. This review contains 6 figures, 13 tables, and 101 references. Key words: alcohol, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cannabis, clonidine, cocaine, dexmedetomidine, methadone, opioid, phenobarbital, stimulant, withdrawal

Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Syndromes and Their Clinical Management

Withdrawal syndromes are clusters of signs and symptoms that occur with cessation or decrease in use of a substance. All substance withdrawal syndromes are classified and diagnosed based on criteria published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). All withdrawal syndromes range in their ability to cause significant medical and/or psychiatric consequences. Alcohol withdrawal remains a medically serious syndrome that can occur within hours to days of decreased use and result in hallucinations, delirium, seizures, and death. Despite increasing research into the type, frequency, dose, and route of administration, benzodiazepines remain the first-line treatment in preventing alcohol withdrawal complications. Although typically not medically severe, opioid withdrawal is often associated with relapse even after successful detoxification. Opioid-agonist therapy, including methadone and buprenorphine, remains the treatment of choice for both opioid withdrawal and relapse prevention. Stimulant withdrawal from cocaine or amphetamines can cause significant psychiatric symptoms within minutes to hours of cessation and may require psychiatric hospitalization for suicidal ideation or attempts. There are no current medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of stimulant withdrawal. Cannabis withdrawal, although not medically dangerous, has recently been adopted as a discrete syndrome in the DSM-5. Its severity correlates significantly with the amount of cannabis used, functional impairment, and ability to achieve sustained remission. There are no current medications approved by the FDA for treatment of cannabis withdrawal. This review contains 6 figures, 13 tables, and 101 references. Key words: alcohol, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cannabis, clonidine, cocaine, dexmedetomidine, methadone, opioid, phenobarbital, stimulant, withdrawal

Alcohol and Drug Withdrawal Syndromes and Their Clinical Management

Withdrawal syndromes are clusters of signs and symptoms that occur with cessation or decrease in use of a substance. All substance withdrawal syndromes are classified and diagnosed based on criteria published in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). All withdrawal syndromes range in their ability to cause significant medical and/or psychiatric consequences. Alcohol withdrawal remains a medically serious syndrome that can occur within hours to days of decreased use and result in hallucinations, delirium, seizures, and death. Despite increasing research into the type, frequency, dose, and route of administration, benzodiazepines remain the first-line treatment in preventing alcohol withdrawal complications. Although typically not medically severe, opioid withdrawal is often associated with relapse even after successful detoxification. Opioid-agonist therapy, including methadone and buprenorphine, remains the treatment of choice for both opioid withdrawal and relapse prevention. Stimulant withdrawal from cocaine or amphetamines can cause significant psychiatric symptoms within minutes to hours of cessation and may require psychiatric hospitalization for suicidal ideation or attempts. There are no current medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of stimulant withdrawal. Cannabis withdrawal, although not medically dangerous, has recently been adopted as a discrete syndrome in the DSM-5. Its severity correlates significantly with the amount of cannabis used, functional impairment, and ability to achieve sustained remission. There are no current medications approved by the FDA for treatment of cannabis withdrawal. This review contains 6 figures, 13 tables, and 101 references. Key words: alcohol, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, buprenorphine, cannabis, clonidine, cocaine, dexmedetomidine, methadone, opioid, phenobarbital, stimulant, withdrawal

Complementary methods of treatment of alcoholic dependence syndrome (F10.2) in the practice of a family medicine

A program of a multilevel approach to the treatment of alcohol dependence syndrome (F10.2) in the practice of a family medicine physician based on the combined use of psychotherapeutic correction using a cognitive-behavioral approach, detoxification of the body using singlet oxygen therapy and a decrease in the patient's craving for alcohol by the method of transcranial micropolarization is presented. According to the results of treatment, out of 46 patients in the main group, remission over 1 year was observed in 38 patients undergoing treatment.

Clinical Benefits of Antrodia Camphorata Containing Antroquinonol on Daily Fatigue and Alcohol Syndrome

Clinical Benefits of Antrodia Camphorata Containing Antroquinonol on Daily Fatigue and Alcohol Syndrome

Subacute Encephalopathy With Seizures in Alcoholics Syndrome: A Subtype of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus.

A recent assessment of the classification of nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) has incorporated the specific electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns on a syndromic basis. Such a clinical EEG syndromic approach may enable more accurate and expedited diagnosis of particular subtypes of NCSE so as to improve therapy. Herein, we review the characteristics of subacute encephalopathy with seizures in alcoholics syndrome, a subtype of focal NCSE occurring in chronic alcoholism with specific features, including encephalopathy, lateralized periodic discharges on the EEG, chronic microvascular ischemia on neuroimaging studies, and possible recurrence when chronic antiseizure treatment is stopped.

Effects of alcohol use during pregnancy. Alcoholic fetal syndrome

Often, pregnant women don’t realise the effects of alcohol use on the fetus. If the future mother drinks alcohol in the nine months of pregnancy, consequences on the fetal development can be extremely bad, leading to alcoholic fetal syndrome. Nowadays, as there doesn’t exist a method to determine the safe quantity of alcohol comsumption, doctors recommend that women should not drink any alcohol during pregnancy.

Su1526 - Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome in Genotypes Non-3 Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: The Interplay of PNPLA3, IL-28 and IL-6 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

Su1526 - Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Syndrome in Genotypes Non-3 Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: The Interplay of PNPLA3, IL-28 and IL-6 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

ФАКТОРЫ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ ДЛИТЕЛЬНЫХ РЕМИССИЙ У БОЛЬНЫХ АЛКОГОЛЬНОЙ ЗАВИСИМОСТЬЮ

Alcohol dependence syndrome is the important modern medico-social issues. In recent years, the problem of achieving
 remission with alcohol dependence has been given great attention, both in Russia and abroad. The duration, persistence
 and quality of remission are the indicators of effectiveness of alcohol dependence therapy. The possibility of an objective
 prediction of the outcome of ongoing therapy, the duration of remissions and the likelihood of relapses of alcohol depend-
 ence are urgent needs. Despite a large number of scientific studies, there is no single idea of the factors influencing the
 formation of remissions in patients with alcoholic dependence syndrome. The article presents the modern view on the
 terms and stages of the remissions formation in alcohol dependence syndrome, clinical-psychopathologic structure of
 remissions. Diagnostic assessment of the remissions is examined according to the current classifications of ICD-10 and
 DSM-V. Biological, personal, social and therapeutic factors of the formation of long-term remissions in patients with
 alcohol dependence are analyzed. Comorbid affective disorders, in particular, depressive and anxiety-phobic disorders,
 cerebral pathology (traumatic, hypertonic, vertebrogenic genesis), nicotine dependence, are attributed to factors in-
 fluencing the stability of the clinical picture of remission and causing a high risk of recurrence. Modern approaches to
 the prognosis of remission in alcohol dependence on the basis of a complex biopsychosocial approach are presented.

Which Criteria to Use to Identify Metabolic Syndrome among Patients with Addictive Disorders? Observations among Patients with Alcohol and Opioid Dependence Syndrome.

Which Criteria to Use to Identify Metabolic Syndrome among Patients with Addictive Disorders? Observations among Patients with Alcohol and Opioid Dependence Syndrome.

НЕЙРОХИМИЧЕСКИЕ АСПЕКТЫ АЛКОГОЛЬНОЙ ИНТОКСИКАЦИИ

The overview provides information on the state of the main neuromediator systems of rat brain in case of alcoholic intoxication. The influence of a single administration of ethanol, chronic alcohol intoxication as well as alcoholic withdrawal syndrome on functioning of the key neurotransmitters in various areas of the brain are discussed.

Substance use disorders: Baclofen as a promising drug

IntroductionBaclofen, a drug currently used in the treatment of spasticity, has been reported to be useful in reducing the intensity of withdrawal symptoms of substance use disorders of alcohol or other psychotropic drugs.ObjectivesWith our clinical case we aim to demonstrate that baclofen reduces severe withdrawal symptoms and also helps to achieve and maintain abstinence in severe cases, in agreement with the current literature.Aims/methodsWe present a clinical case of a 68 year-old patient with alcohol use disorder since his childhood, with familiar antecedents, multiples relapses and associated organic pathology such as alcoholic polyneuropathy and Wernicke syndrome. We used to high doses of baclofen to reduce the craving and withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, we searched in PubMed for more case reports and for a systematic review of the efficacy and tolerability of baclofen.ResultsWe were able to demonstrate that high doses of baclofen can be useful in resistant cases of substance use disorders like alcoholism. For our case study, we obtained positive results with a large remission, in comparison with the previous detoxications, with doses up to 150 mg/day.ConclusionsWe conclude that baclofen is an interesting alternative for resistant cases, with a good outcome and tolerability, in complicated patients, with important organic repercussions.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Treinamento de equipes de enfermagem para assistência à síndrome de abstinência alcoólica: revisão integrativa

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar evidências relativas à eficácia de estratégias de treinamentos para equipes de enfermagem assistenciais com temática relacionada à síndrome de abstinência alcoólica. Usou-se, como método, a revisão integrativa, com descritores indexados nas bases de informações MEDLINE, LILACS, Bireme, PubMed, SciELO, Web of Science e CINAHL, sem restrições de ano. Foram utilizados os descritores: "Síndrome de Abstinência Alcóolica", "Enfermagem" e "Educação". Os treinamentos realizados com equipes de enfermagem foram considerados eficazes, refletindo de forma positiva na assistência. Todos os estudos incluíram em seus treinamentos escalas como forma de avaliar os pacientes, sendo a escala Assessment Clinical Institute Withdrawal for Alcohol, Revised e o questionário CAGE os mais utilizados. Conclui-se que profissionais de enfermagem que trabalham com a síndrome de abstinência alcoólica precisam receber treinamentos e atualizações sobre o tema.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) withdrawal syndrome: First case report in Lithuania (Kaunas addiction treatment center)

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) precursor and metabolite that naturally occurs in the human body. Initially, GHB was used as an anaesthetic agent but was later also found to have anabolic, hypnotic, antidepressant, anxiolytic as well as cholesterol lowering effects. Recently though, research into GHB has been carried out primarily in assessing its effectiveness in treating alcohol and opioid withdrawal syndrome. There are no epidemiological data about GHB consumption in Lithuania, however during last decade there were observed many fatal cases of GHB users due to GHB intoxication or withdrawal abroad. In this article we will present the clinical case and problems which face the patient of 2-year daily GHB consumption. There were observed mild to moderate abstinence state presented with its clinical course and peculiarities. Whereas using GHB is becoming more popular in Lithuania, it is very important to pay attention to this substance and problems related to its usage.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Syndromes with short stature

At present, factors that have been recognized as being able to influence growth are: nutritional, physical, chemical, psychological and genetic. The causes of short stature are numerous, with about 90% of cases classified as Idiopathic Short Stature and divided into 2 types familial short stature and constitutional short stature. Part of the population with growth disorders are SGA newborns (10%) who don't show recovery growth that physiologically should occur within 2-3 years in 90% of cases. Generally in this group there are both children small due to severe prematurity and children afflicted by genetic syndromes. Syndromes are the subject of our interest and we thought it would be useful to distinguish different prenatal and postnatal patterns of growth. In fact, some specific patterns can characterize syndromes. For example, very slow prenatal and postnatal growth is typical of Silver-Russell Syndrome; low prenatal and childhood growth followed by obesity after 3 years of life is typical of Prader–Willi syndrome; prenatal and postnatal overgrowth is typical of Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome; and prenatal overgrowth followed by low postnatal growth is typical of Costello syndrome. Short stature can be harmonious or disharmonious; harmonious ones include familiar short stature, constitutional growth delays, GH deficiency, intrauterine growth restriction, dysmorphic or genetic syndrome and short stature in the presence of chronic diseases. In this paper we discuss the growth patterns of some genetic syndromes, such as achondroplasia, CHARGE syndrome, Cornelia de Lange syndrome, 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Downs syndrome, Fetal – alcohol syndrome, Kabuki syndrome, Noonan syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Rubistein–Taybi syndrome, Silver–Russell syndrome, Turner syndrome, Williams syndrome and VACTERL/VATER association.