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. 2016 Mar;51(2):201-9.
doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agv088. Epub 2015 Aug 4.

Alcohol Dependence, Co-occurring Conditions and Attributable Burden

B L Odlaug  1 , A Gual  2 , J DeCourcy  3 , R Perry  3 , J Pike  3 , L Heron  4 , J Rehm  5
Affiliations

Alcohol Dependence, Co-occurring Conditions and Attributable Burden

B L Odlaug et al. Alcohol Alcohol. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Aims: Alcohol dependence is associated with high rates of co-occurring disorders which impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and add to the cost-of-illness. This study investigated the burden of alcohol dependence and associated co-occurring conditions on health and productivity.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight European countries. Physicians (Psychiatrists and General Practitioners) completed patient record forms, which included assessment of co-occurring conditions, and patients completed matching self-completion forms. Drinking risk level (DRL) was calculated and the relationship between DRL, co-occurring conditions, work productivity, hospitalisations and rehabilitation stays was explored.

Results: Data were collected for 2979 alcohol-dependent patients (mean age 48.8 ± 13.6 years; 70% male). In total, 77% of patients suffered from moderate-to-severe co-occurring psychiatric and/or somatic conditions. High DRL was significantly associated with depression, greater work productivity losses, increased hospitalisations and rehabilitation stays. Co-occurring conditions were significantly associated with poorer HRQoL and decreased work productivity, with a statistical trend towards an increased frequency of rehabilitation stays.

Conclusions: Alcohol-dependent patients manifest high rates of co-occurring psychiatric and somatic conditions, which are associated with impaired work productivity and HRQoL. The continued burden of illness observed in these already-diagnosed patients suggests an unmet need in both primary and secondary care.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Hospitalisations and rehabilitations in relation to different drinking risk levels. DRL, drinking risk level.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Work productivity in relation to different drinking risk levels. DRL, drinking risk level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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