Psychiatric Comorbidity Among Patients With Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: A Cross - Sectional Study Jindal Sahil1,*, Brar Gurmeet Kaur2, Goyal Anil3 1Junior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, AIMSR, Bathinda 2Professor, Department of Psychiatry, AIMSR, Bathinda 3Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry, AIMSR, Bathinda *Corresponding Author : Dr. Sahil Jindal, Junior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, AIMSR, Bathinda, Phone : +91-7307833233, E-mail: sahil.jindal8888@gmail.com
Online Published on 28 July, 2023. Abstract Introduction The commonest psychoactive substance used by Indians is alcohol with Punjab being among the highest alcohol consuming states. A significant risk factor for relapse and a challenge in the treatment and management is the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in individuals who are alcohol dependent. For someone with ADS, the number of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses could reach as high as three. Aim To estimate the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities among patients of alcohol dependence syndrome. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Department of Psychiatry of Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Adesh University), Bathinda, Punjab on 40 patients. Consecutive OPD and IPD patients of age 19-60 years diagnosed with Alcohol dependence syndrome were selected. Patients were assessed using a self-designed, Semistructured sociodemographic proforma and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI PLUS). Results The overall prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities among patients of alcohol dependence syndrome as per MINI- PLUS was found to be 45%. The following diagnostic conditions were found: major depressive disorder- 25%, bipolar disorder- 7.5%, agoraphobia- 5%, substance induced depressive disorder- 2.5%, panic disorder-2.5%, obsessive compulsive disorder- 2.5%, generalized anxiety disorder- 2.5%, and somatic symptom disorder- 2.5%. Conclusion The psychiatric comorbidities are highly prevalent among patients of alcohol dependence, comparable to previous research. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was found to be mood disorders. Therefore, these often-overlooked comorbidities need to be taken into consideration for the management of alcohol dependent patients for relapse prevention, improve adherence to treatment and better functional outcome in patients suffering from alcoholism. Top Keywords Alcoholism, Alcohol Dependence Syndrome, Comorbidity, Psychiatric Comorbidity. Top |