Psychiatric comorbidity and physical correlates in alcohol-dependent patients

Abstract

Aim: To examine the prevalence and pattern of comorbidity in alcohol dependence and its relationship with physical and laboratory findings. Materials and Methods: Eighty males with alcohol dependence were examined using the Hindi version of Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, the International Classification of Disease-10th Edition Personality Disorder Examination, Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test for alcohol use, global assessment of functioning, blood sampling electrocardiogram, and ultrasonogram. Results: Eighty-seven percent had a comorbid Axis I or an Axis II psychiatric disorder, over 78% had nicotine dependence, and 56% had comorbid Axis II disorder, antisocial personality being the most common. Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase levels were significantly associated with comorbidity. Conclusions: High comorbidity of Axis I psychiatric disorders was found among persons with alcohol dependence. Axis II disorders were also present.

Keywords

• Alcohol dependence
• physical correlates
• psychiatric comorbidity