High Prevalence Of Alcohol Abuse Research Articles

Combined Use of Phosphatidylethanol and the Audit Test for Detecting of Alcohol Abuse

Aim: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol abuse among men by using combined the direct biochemical marker phosphatidylethanol (PEth) and the AUDIT questionnaire (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). Subjects and Methods: The concentration of PEth was determined in 136 blood samples of men aged 15 - 65 years. The blood was obtained from the laboratory of the medical advisory centre, where it was submitted for routine biochemical analysis. Immediately before blood sampling, clients were asked to complete the AUDIT questionnaire. Determination of the concentration of PEth was carried out using the method of high performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC - MS). Statistical data processing was carried out using the Statistica 10.0 program. Results: Discrimination by the level of alcohol consumption using the concentration of PEth showed that the proportion of abstinents (practically not drinking alcohol) among men was 20.6 %; the proportion of moderate drinkers was 63.1 %; the proportion of alcohol abusers was 16.3 %. The highest average concentration of PEth, as well as the proportion of those who abuse alcohol, was observed in the age groups of 50 - 59 and 60+ years. The distribution by level of alcohol consumption according to the total score of the AUDIT test was as follows: abstinents - 17.9 %; moderate drinkers - 69.6 %; alcohol abusers - 12.5 %. The highest average test score, as well as the highest share of alcohol abusers, was observed in the age group 50 - 59 years. Correlation analysis did not reveal any relationship between the concentration of PEth in the blood and the total score of the AUDIT test in any of the age groups of men. Conclusion: The results indicate a fairly high prevalence of alcohol abuse among men. Alcohol-related problems are especially high among middle-aged men. The outcomes suggest a low concordance between the concentration of PEth in the blood and the AUDIT score.

Clinical Phenomenology of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Male Patients: Same But Different

The majority of knowledge about fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) derives from studies of female patients. Little is known about the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of male patients with FMS. In this retrospective cohort study with a prospective posttreatment follow-up, we investigated whether male patients with FMS differ from female patients in terms of 1) symptom burden, 2) psychological characteristics, and 3) clinical treatment response. We identified 263 male (4%) out of 5,541 patients with FMS completing a 3-week multimodal pain-treatment program. Male patients (51.3 ± 9.1 years) were age- and time-matched (1:4) with female patients (N = 1,052, 51.3 ± 9.0 years). Data on clinical characteristics, psychological comorbidities, and treatment responses were obtained from medical records and validated questionnaires. Levels of perceived pain, psychological comorbidity, and functional capacity were similar between genders, although male patients with FMS showed a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse. Compared to female patients, male patients experienced themselves less often as overly accommodating (Cohen’s d = −.42) but more often as self-sacrificing (d = .26) or intrusive (d = .23). Regarding pain coping, male patients were less likely to utilize mental distraction, rest- and relaxation techniques, or counteractive activities (d = .18–.27). Male patients showed a slightly worse overall response rate than women (69% vs 77%), although differences between individual outcome measures were small (d < .2). Although male and female patients in our cohort were similar in clinical presentation and treatment response, the gender-specific differences in interpersonal problems and pain coping suggest consideration of these aspects in the treatment of male patients with FMS. PerspectiveKnowledge about fibromyalgia mostly derives from studies of female patients. Identifying and understanding gender-specific differences in fibromyalgia is an important roadmap in the treatment of this syndrome by focusing on specific gender aspects such as differences in interpersonal problems and pain coping mechanisms.

Synergistic effect of mild traumatic brain injury and alcohol aggravates neuroinflammation, amyloidogenesis, tau pathology, neurodegeneration, and blood-brain barrier alterations: Impact on psychological stress

After a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), victims often experience emotional/psychological stress such as heightened irritability, anxiety, apathy, and depression. Severe mental health complications are common in military populations following a combat-acquired TBI and intensified unhealthy alcohol use. The high prevalence of alcohol abuse among TBI victims underscores how alcohol abuse exacerbates emotional/psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. The experimental mTBI was induced in vivo by fluid percussion injury (15 psi) in mice and ethanol diet feeding continued for 28 days. We analyzed different biomarkers of the biochemical mechanisms and pathophysiology of neurological damage, and functional outcome of psychological stress by sucrose preference, and light-dark tests. We demonstrated that the synergistic effect of TBI and alcohol leads to psychological stress such as depression and anxiety. The studies showed that oxidative stress, amyloidogenesis, tau pathology, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration markers were elevated, and glial activation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage were exacerbated during the synergistic effect of TBI and alcohol. Further, we studied the biochemical mechanisms of psychological stress that showed the significant reduction of 5-HT1AR, neuropeptide-Y, and norepinephrine, and an increase in monoamine oxidase-a in the combined effect of TBI and alcohol. This work suggested that the combined TBI and alcohol-induced effect leads to depression and anxiety, via sequential biochemical changes that cause neuroinflammation, amyloidogenesis, tau pathology, neurodegeneration, and BBB alterations. This clinically relevant study will contribute to developing a comprehensive therapeutic approach for patients suffering from TBI and alcohol-mediated neurological damage and psychological stress.

Information on the Prevalence and Extent of Alcohol Abuse Among Commercial Tricycle Operators in Calabar

This study examines the prevalence and extent of Alcohol abuse among commercial tricycle operators in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Adopting a descriptive quantitative research method, data was collected from 385 participants from 6424 registered tricycle operators in Calabar using a questionnaire. The participants were selected using the convenience and random sampling technique. Data collected from the field were subjected to descriptive statistics. Out of the 385 distributed instruments, 383 were returned and used for data analysis. From the analyzed data, the result revealed that all the participants, 100.00 per cent, have taken alcohol before. 81.46 per cent taken alcohol before while working, Majority of the tricycle drivers, 38.90 per cent believes that alcohol makes them have clearer vision when driving, 31.59 per cent argued that it makes them work longer, 10.97 per cent maintain that it is because they are used to alcohol. 12.27 per cent of the participants take alcohol at every opportunity they get, 18.02 per cent reported drinking every day. Result also revealed that all the tricycle riders have had accidents before, 77.81 per cent were under the influence of Alcohol when the accidents happened. Based on this result, the study concludes that there was a high prevalence of alcohol abuse among tricycle riders in Calabar. Hence there is a need for the enactment of proper laws that determines the legal limit of alcohol among drivers to checkmate the issue of driving under the influence and its attendant consequences.

Sociodemographic Correlates of Alcohol Abuse in Kassena-Nankana Municipality, Ghana.

The main aim of the study was to assess the level of alcohol abuse and related factors in Kassena-Nankana Municipal of Ghana. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional survey with 397 participants, using AUDIT to assess alcohol use. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS. Bivariate analysis was done using chi-square and multivariate analysis was done using the multinomial logistics regression model. Lifetime alcohol use among the study participants was 96.0%; out of this, 51.7% were engaged in possibly dependent drinking, 23.4% involved in harmful drinking, and 24.9% involved in moderate drinking. Males were more likely to engage in harmful drinking than moderate (AOR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.175–4.776). Males again were more likely to engage in dependent drinking than moderate (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.489–5.068). Christians as compared to traditionalists were less likely engage in dependent drinking than moderate drinking (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.223–0.940). Those with tertiary education were less likely to engage in dependent drinking than moderate as compare to those without formal education (AOR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.076–0.670). Also employed civil servants were more likely to engage in dependent drinking than moderate as compared to those without employment (AOR = 4.4, 95% CI: 1.187–16.646). This study revealed a high prevalence of alcohol abuse among the residents of Kassena-Nankana municipality that was predicted by gender, educational level, and religious practice; therefore, there is a need for a public campaign on the harmful effects of alcohol abuse in the municipality.

Concurrent use of addictive substances among alcohol drinkers: Prevalence and problems in a Swedish general population sample

Aims:To examine concurrent use of addictive substances among alcohol drinkers in the Swedish general population and to assess to what extent this increases the risk of alcohol problems.Methods:Data were retrieved from a nationally representative survey from 2013 on use of and problems related to alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs and non-prescribed use of analgesics and sedatives with 15,576 respondents. Alcohol users were divided into different groups on the basis of frequency of drinking overall and binge drinking. Tobacco use was measured in terms of daily use and use of illicit drugs and non-prescribed use of analgesics and sedatives were measured in terms of last 12 months prevalence. A dichotomous indicator of a DSM-IV dependence or abuse diagnosis was used. Logistic regression models were estimated to examine the relationship between various patterns of drinking in combination with other substance use and risk of alcohol abuse and/or dependence.Results:People who drink alcohol in Sweden were more likely to use other addictive substances than non-drinkers and such concurrent use becomes more common the more alcohol is consumed. Alcohol drinkers using other substances have a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence at all frequencies of drinking. Multivariate models controlling for sex, age and drinking frequency found that an elevated risk of harm remained for drinkers using addictive substances other than snuff.Conclusion:A large group of drinkers in the Swedish general population have an accumulation of risks as a result of using both alcohol and other addictive substances. Concurrent use of cigarettes, illicit drugs and non-prescribed use of analgesics and sedatives adds an independent risk of alcohol abuse/dependence in this group in addition to their drinking. The findings point at the importance of taking multiple substance-use patterns into account when combating drinking problems. Screening for concurrent use of other addictive substances could help healthcare providers to identify patients in need of treatment for alcohol problems.

Alcohol abuse and dependence among Brazilian medical students: Association to sociodemographic variables, anxiety and depression

ABSTRACTBackground: Few data are available regarding the prevalence of alcohol abuse (AB) and alcohol dependence (AD) and their association with sociodemographic variables, anxiety and depression in medical students.Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of AB and AD and investigate their relation with sociodemographic variables, depression and anxiety in medical students.Methods: Structured questionnaires regarding alcohol use (AUDIT), depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) were given to 659 medical students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses.Results: The prevalence of AB and AD was, respectively, 28.4% and 15.6%. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant higher rates of both conditions in men (AB: OR 2.54. AD: OR 2.32) and lower prevalence of these conditions among those in a relationship (AB: OR 0.55. AD: OR 0.43). AB was higher among those living with friends or in a university dorm (OR: 1.65). Prevalence was lower among those currently attending the second (AB: OR 0.48. AD: OR 0.36) and fourth (AB only: OR 0.35) years of medical school. A significant correlation between AD and depression (OR 1.74) was identified.Conclusions: The findings highlight the high prevalence of AB and AD in medical students and identify variables associated with these conditions.

Prevalence, treatment, and the correlates of common mental disorders in the mid 2010′s in Japan: The results of the world mental health Japan 2nd survey

BackgroundDespite numerous changes in the mental health care system in Japan in 2000's, little is known about changes in the prevalence or treatment rates of mental disorders. MethodsThe World Mental Health Japan (WMHJ) 2nd Survey was a nationally representative face-to-face household survey of residents aged 20–75 years old conducted between 2013 and 2015. We compared the findings with those of an earlier study, the first WMHJ (WMHJ1) survey, conducted in 2002–2006. ResultsOverall, 2450 residents completed the interview. Lifetime prevalence of any common mental disorder was 22%, with high prevalence of alcohol abuse (15.1%). Twelve-month prevalence rates of any common mental disorder and major depressive disorder were 5.2% and 2.7%, respectively. Severe cases comprised 24% of 12-month disorders. Lifetime prevalence of any common mental disorder was greater for males. The persistence of any common mental disorder was greater for females. Proportion of those with 12-month disorders who sought treatment was 34%. Mental health care use was the most prevalent among 12-month cases. Twelve-month prevalence of any common mental disorder was similar to that of the WMHJ1 while the proportion of seeking treatment increased for disorders with moderate severity. LimitationsInstitutionalized people were not included. The lower response rate might also limit the interpretation of the findings. ConclusionsThe study found lower prevalence of mental disorders in Japan than in Western countries in the mid 2010's, suggesting that the prevalence of mental disorders remained stable in the last decade in Japan. Treatment rate increased for those with moderate disorders, which might reflect the government's attempt to raise people's awareness of mental health.

Restraint stress enhances alcohol intake in adolescent female rats but reduces alcohol intake in adolescent male and adult female rats.

Adolescents may be more sensitive to stress-induced alcohol drinking than adults, which would explain the higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence in late adolescence than in adulthood. The present study analyzed the impact of restraint stress on the initiation of alcohol intake across 2 weeks of intermittent, two-bottle choice intake in male and female adolescent rats and adult female rats. Restraint stress significantly increased alcohol intake and preference in female adolescent rats but decreased alcohol intake and preference in male adolescent and female adult rats. The effects of restraint stress on alcohol intake were mitigated in adolescent females following administration of the κ opioid receptor antagonist norbinaltorphimine. Adolescent but not adult female rats that were subjected to restraint stress spent more time on the open arms of the elevated plus maze. Female adolescents exposed to stress also exhibited greater risk-taking behaviors in a concentric square field test compared with non-stressed controls. These results indicate age- and sex-related differences in the sensitivity to alcohol-stress interactions that may facilitate the initiation of alcohol use in female adolescents. The facilitatory effect of stress on alcohol intake was related to greater exploratory and risk-taking behaviors in young females after stress exposure.

Actual and predicted prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy in the WHO African Region.

To estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking during pregnancy among the general population in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region, by country. First, a comprehensive systematic literature search was performed to identify all published and unpublished studies. Then, several meta-analyses, assuming a random-effects model, were conducted to estimate the prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking during pregnancy among the general population for countries in the WHO African Region with two or more studies available. Lastly, for countries with less than two studies or no known data predictions were obtained using regression modelling. The estimated prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy among the general population ranged from 2.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-2.8%; Equatorial Guinea) to 12.6% (95% CI: 9.9-15.4%; Cameroon) in Central Africa, 3.4% (95% CI: 2.6-4.3%; Seychelles) to 20.5% (95% CI: 16.4-24.7%; Uganda) in Eastern Africa, 5.7% (95% CI: 4.4-7.1%; Botswana) to 14.2% (95% CI: 11.1-17.3%; Namibia) in Southern Africa, 6.6% (95% CI: 5.0-8.3%; Mauritania) to 14.8% (95% CI: 11.6-17.9%; Sierra Leone) in Western Africa, and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.2-5.3%; Algeria) in Northern Africa. The high prevalence of alcohol consumption and binge drinking during pregnancy in some African countries calls for educational campaigns, screening and targeted interventions for women of childbearing age.

Analysis of perioperative morbidity and mortality in shoulder arthroplasty patients with preexisting alcohol use disorders

Shoulder arthroplasty is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Given the high prevalence of alcohol abuse and its implications in postoperative morbidity and the increasing incidence of shoulder arthroplasty, it is prudent to explore the effect of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) in this patient population. In this study, we considered numerous outcome variables, including perioperative complications, in-hospital death, prolonged hospital stay, and nonroutine discharge. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we performed a retrospective cohort study to identify a population of 422,371 adults (≥18 years old) undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2011. We then further subdivided this cohort into those who were classified as having AUDs and those who did not. Comparisons of early postoperative outcome measures were performed by bivariate and multivariable analyses with logistic regression modeling. Compared with those without AUDs, patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty with a preexisting AUD have a greater likelihood to experience death, pneumonia, deep venous thrombosis, acute renal failure, transfusion, prolonged length of stay, and nonroutine discharge irrespective of age, gender, race, and other medical comorbidities. Patients with a preexisting AUD are 2.7 times more likely to experience perioperative complications after shoulder arthroplasty. Patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty with a preexisting AUD have a greater likelihood of perioperative complications and health care resource utilization after shoulder arthroplasty. Presurgical alcohol screening may prove effective in identifying at-risk patients, and providing interventions before surgery may effectively limit the complication profile.

Impact of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake on the Resumption of Alcohol Consumption After Living-Donor Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Cirrhosis: A Report of Two Cases

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in Western countries. The rate of resumption of alcohol abuse is 7% to 95% after LT for ALD. A high prevalence of alcohol abuse has been observed in disaster-exposed populations; however, little is known about the association between resumption of alcohol abuse after LT and disasters. Between June 2007 and March 2011, 3 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (2 men and 1 woman) underwent living-donor LT (LDLT) at Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan. The female patient died of graft failure 6 months after LDLT. The other patients (ages 55 and 56 years), who survived to discharge, resumed alcohol abuse after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Before transplantation, both patients had been abusing alcohol for >35 years, with a daily ethanol intake of 110 g and 140 g, respectively. The period of abstinence from alcohol consumption ranged from 4 to 6 months. After transplantation, patients showed good compliance with treatment and seemed at low risk of relapse until the earthquake. One patient was living in the nuclear evacuation zone at Fukushima, and resumed alcohol consumption after the evacuation. Another patient resumed alcohol consumption while temporarily living apart from his family during restoration work after the disaster. Extreme stress and changes in living arrangements after the Great East Japan Earthquake seemed to trigger the desire to drink. This is the first report on patients who underwent LT for ALD and who resumed alcohol consumption after a disaster.

Racial discrimination, gender discrimination, and substance abuse among Latina/os nationwide.

This study investigates the relationship between discrimination and substance abuse among Latina/os, and further examines whether this relationship differs by gender and type of discrimination. Analyses focus on the Latina/o respondents (n = 1,039 men; n = 1,273 women) from the National Latino and Asian American Study carried out from 2002-2003. Outcomes were alcohol abuse and drug abuse measured using DSM-IV definitions and criteria. Additional covariates included immigrant characteristics and demographics. Analyses were completed using gender-stratified multinomial logistic regression. Men reported more discrimination (39.6% vs. 30.3%) and had higher prevalence of alcohol abuse (16.5% vs. 4.5%) and drug abuse (9.5% vs. 2.3%) than women. Discrimination was significantly associated with increased risk of alcohol abuse for women and increased risk of drug abuse for men. Men and women also varied in the types of discrimination (e.g., racial vs. gender) reported, and in the associations between these types of discrimination and substance abuse. These data indicate that discrimination is associated with different substance abuse outcomes between genders. Future research should consider the mechanisms that explain these differences.

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Introduction: A 68 year-old man with chronic alcohol abuse and recent COPD exacerbation was admitted to our surgical ICU after a laparotomy for a small bowel obstruction. He was started on a lorazepam revised Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol (CIWA-Ar) scale to help in the assessment and management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). His post-operative course was complicated by respiratory distress requiring intubation. On hospital day 5, he was switched from lorazepam to PO vodka for AWS prevention due to a concern that lorazepam was causing oversedation, resulting in difficulty weaning from the ventilator. After a 24-hour trial of oral vodka was conducted, at 30ml every 6 hours, the patient was switched back to lorazepam due to escalating AWS. This medical case led to significant discussion among the medical teams involved regarding patient selection, indications, and evidence for this age-old, but controversial, therapy. Hospitalized patients with histories of chronic alcohol abuse risk developing AWS during their hospital course, and often require care in the ICU due to potentially lethal complications, such as seizures and delirium. Clinically, AWS is commonly defined as alcohol withdrawal symptom severity resulting in a CIWA-Ar score of greater than 20. Current first-line prophylaxis of AWS in SICU patients is intravenous (IV) benzodiazepines. CIWA-Ar score is evaluated every hour until a score of less than 10 has been maintained for at least 24 hours. If the CIWA-Ar score rises above 20, treatment should be initiated with higher doses of benzodiazepines. Historically ethanol has been used as an alternative for preventing AWS, particularly in surgical patients, but current literature on its use is lacking. Available research addresses IV ethanol for AWS prevention, and advises against its use because of the high cost, narrow therapeutic index, and unpredictable pharmacokinetics. Compared to benzodiazepines, oral (PO) ethanol may cause less sedation and respiratory depression at effective doses. Pharmacy cost-containment strategies may favor PO over more costly IV ethanol formulations. Despite its long-standing, therapeutic considerations, current literature is heavy weighted against the use of PO ethanol for AWS prevention, primarily due to the paucity of data validating its use. Nonetheless, many hospitals nationwide have PO ethanol available for patients with histories of alcohol abuse. At our institution, the Medication Safety and Quality Committee recently approved the use of PO ethanol for AWS prevention in surgical patients undergoing thoracic and head and neck procedures, given the high prevalence of alcohol abuse in these cohorts. Available literature suggests that use of PO ethanol is most effective when administered using a protocol, but a validated protocol has yet to be published. Our pharmacy recommends the use of 40% vodka in 30 mL doses (13g of ethanol) every 4 to 8 hours, with a starting dose of 0.5-1g/kg/day. The vodka is purchased by the pharmacy's supplier, stored in the pharmacy, and administered as a nonformulary drug. Due to potential drug interactions, additional precautions must be taken when using PO ethanol, including discontinuation of NSAIDs and/or the addition of GI prophylaxis, limitation of acetaminophen doses to under 2g/day, and the discontinuation of drugs that may cause a disulfiram-like reaction, such as metronidazole. In addition to logistical issues with its administration, many physicians ethically object to prescribing ethanol to patients who are addicted to alcohol. More research is needed regarding which patients may benefit from PO ethanol over standard first-line benzodiazepine therapy, and how to safely and effectively administer ethanol to these patients.

Latent hepatitis B is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C

To study the potential association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), cirrhosis and latent hepatitis B (LHB) infection, defined as the absence of detectable serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and the presence of hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). This retrospective analysis is comprised of 185 cirrhotic patients with HCC who were hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab) (+) and HBsAg(-) at Wayne State University between 1999 and 2008. From these, 108 patients had HCV polymerase chain reaction confirmation of viremia while the remaining (77) were considered to have CHC on the basis of a positive HCV Ab and the absence of any other cause of liver disease. Controls were drawn from our institutional database from the same time period and consisted of 356 HBsAg(-) age, race and gender matched patients with HCV RNA-confirmed CHC and without evidence of HCC. A subgroup of controls included 118 matched patients with liver cirrhosis. χ² test and t test were used for data analysis. Seventy-seven percent of patients in all 3 groups were African Americans. Patients with HCC had a significantly higher body mass index (P = 0.03), a higher rate of co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (P = 0.05) and a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse (P = 0.03) than the controls. More patients with HCC had LHB than controls (78% vs 39%, P = 0.01). Sixty three percent of patients with HCC were both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb)(-) and HBcAb(+) compared to 23% of controls (P < 0.01). When compared to cirrhotic controls, the frequency of HBcAb(+) remained higher in patients with HCC (78% vs 45%, P = 0.02). Patients with HCC were more likely to be both HBsAb(-) and HBcAb(+) than the cirrhotic controls (63% vs 28%, P = 0.01). Although not statistically significant, 100% of CHC and HIV co-infected patients with HCC (n = 11) were HBcAb(+) when compared to controls (44%; n = 9). These data suggest that LHB occurs at a significantly increased frequency in patients with CHC and HCC than in patients with CHC without HCC.

Abuso de alcohol en niños y adolescentes escolarizados y factores asociados

IntroductionPrevious studies have confirmed high prevalence of alcohol abuse in adolescent students from Bucaramanga, Colombia. However, few studies on the associated factors have been carried out. ObjectiveAssessment of prevalence of alcohol abuse and associated factors in student children and adolescents from Bucaramanga. MethodologyA random sample of adolescent students completed an anonymous questionnaire about the consumption of alcohol, illegal and legal substances, together with the CAGE questionnaire and a series of scales and questionnaires assessing risk factors for alcohol abuse. To adjust for confusing variables, a multivariate analysis was performed using a logistic regression model. Results2916 students were surveyed with an average age between 10 and 22, and a mean of 14.4 years (SD 1.65), 51.1% were female, 36% were in the last two years of high school (10th and 11th grades), and 17.66% were in private schools. The alcohol abuse pattern as measured by the CAGE scale was 14.6% (95% CI, 13.3 – 16.0%). The associated factors were: age (OR: 1.15, 95% CI 1.04 – 1.27), having a smoking or consuming alcohol sibling (OR: 1.48, 95% CI, 1.01 – 1.17) antisocial behavior (OR 3.03, 95% CI, 2.12 – 4.32) and best friend who uses illicit substances (OR 1.71, 95% CI, 1.06 – 2.76), best friend who smokes or drinks alcohol (OR 2.01, 95% CI, 1.40 – 2.88). ConclusionsOne out of 7 students showed a pattern of alcohol abuse. The associated factors were the influence of friends, family, age and antisocial behavior.

Clinical correlates of cannabis use among adolescent psychiatric inpatients

ObjectivesThis study sought to determine the clinical correlates of adolescents with cannabis use and no additional drug use (CU) compared to adolescents with no drug use (NDU) among a group of adolescent psychiatric inpatients in Israel. MethodsTwo hundred and thirty-six patients consecutively admitted to an adolescent inpatient unit at a university-affiliated mental health center in Israel during a 3-year period were screened. Individuals with polydrug use were excluded from the study. ResultsPrevalence of cannabis use was 13%. In the CU group, 39% were diagnosed with attention deficit and disruptive behavior disorders compared with 16% in the NDU group. Antipsychotics were the most common medications prescribed in both groups. Mood stabilizers were more frequently prescribed to CU than to NDU patients (39% vs 16%, respectively). A higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and criminal behaviors was found among CU compared to NDU patients (61% and 39% vs 6% and 4%, respectively). ConclusionsThe high prevalence of disruptive behaviors and frequent treatment with antipsychotics and mood stabilizers in the CU group may be related to the strong association between externalizing behavior and cannabis use and the non-specific pharmacological treatment of disruptive behaviors. Formal screening for cannabis use should be considered in psychiatric facilities. Specifically, adolescents with disruptive behaviors could benefit from early interventions, before and after cannabis initiation.

The Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology Of Lipoid Proteinosis

The Neuropsychiatry and Neuropsychology Of Lipoid Proteinosis

Psychological autopsy studies: The role of alcohol use in adolescent and young adult suicides

Alcohol abusers seem to be prone to both suicide attempts and completions. The relationship between alcohol abuse and suicide in adolescence is complex. To examine the role of alcohol abuse and dependence in adolescent suicide in psychological autopsy studies. A search in the National Library of Medicine (NLM) PubMed database using "adolescents" and "all child: 0-18 years" as the search terms for age and "psychological autopsy" as the search term for title or abstract. Forty articles met the selection criteria and each one is described. There was a high prevalence of alcohol abuse detected in the studies (range 21.42% to 43.47% in samples aged under 20 years). Alcohol misuse was present in suicides in the form of chronic abuse, acute abuse and dependence. Alcohol abuse and dependence is highly prevalent among adolescent suicides. In many studies, alcohol consumption is analyzed in combination with drug abuse. Further studies are necessary to clarify the prevalence of chronic and acute alcohol abuse in order to identify specific high-risk population groups and design antisuicidal interventions for them. Both acute and chronic alcohol use should be evaluated when assessing suicide risk in adolescents.

Gender- and violence-related prevalence of mental disorders in prisoners

To clarify the prevalence of mental diseases including personality disorders in a sample of German prisoners regarding delinquency and gender specificity. Crime history, present state and lifetime mental disorders, as well as personality disorders, were assessed amongst 415 inmates and compared regarding gender and type of delinquency. Female offenders more often committed homicide while male offenders more frequently committed assault and robbery. Men had a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and dissocial PD while women more often showed depression, anxiety disorders and Borderline PD. Violent offences were related to a higher prevalence of alcohol abuse and dissocial PD, as well as higher comorbidities of mental disorders. Results emphasize the complexity of the needs and requirements of imprisoned offenders. Our findings reveal an urgent need for psychiatric-psychotherapeutic services to provide suitable care to inmates in order to contribute to a more favorable legal prognosis.