Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry (Jun 2017)

Mood disorder, anxiety, and suicide risk among subjects with alcohol abuse and/or dependence: a population-based study

  • Carolina D. Wiener,
  • Fernanda P. Moreira,
  • Alethea Zago,
  • Luciano M. Souza,
  • Jeronimo C. Branco,
  • Jacqueline F. de Oliveira,
  • Ricardo A. da Silva,
  • Luis V. Portela,
  • Diogo R. Lara,
  • Karen Jansen,
  • Jean P. Oses

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2170
Journal volume & issue
no. 0

Abstract

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Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of alcohol abuse and/or dependence in a population-based sample of young adults and assess the prevalence of comorbid mood disorders, anxiety, and suicide risk in this population. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study enrolled 1,953 young adults aged 18-35 years. The CAGE questionnaire was used to screen for alcohol abuse and/or dependence, with CAGE scores ≥ 2 considered positive. Psychiatric disorders were investigated through the structured Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Results: Alcohol abuse and/or dependence was identified in 187 (9.60%) individuals (5.10% among women and 15.20% among men). Alcohol abuse and/or dependence were more prevalent among men than women, as well as among those who used tobacco, illicit drugs or presented with anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and suicide risk. Conclusion: These findings suggest that alcohol abuse and/or dependence are consistently associated with a higher prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, could be considered important predictors of other psychiatric disorders, and deserve greater public heath attention, pointing to the need for alcohol abuse prevention programs.

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