Purpose: Many primary care patients with alcohol disorders never receive treatment, but little is known about their clinical characteristics. We examined the characteristics of ambulatory patients with alcohol disorders (AD) who had and had not received treatment. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of males who use VA ambulatory services. AD was classified as current AD (CAGE>=2 and having had a drink in past year),treated (CADT) or never treated (CADNT), abstinent (CAGE >=2 and no drink in past year) treated (AADT) or never treated (AADNT) and NOAD (CAGE=0, no treatment). Health status was measured with the SF-36 using two summary scores, PCS(physical component) and MCS(mental component). Results:2425 of 4236 (57%) patients completed the survey. 170 had CADNT, 141 CADT, 69 AADNT, 124 AADT, and 1458 NOAD. AADNT and NOAD were older and more likely to be married (both p<0.01). CADT (PCS=33.4) had lower PCS scores than CADNT (PCS=37.2) and NOAD (PCS=37.0). CADT had the lowest MCS scores (39.7); AADT (44.1) and CADNT (45.7) also had lower MCS scores than NOAD (49.8). AADT had MCS scores comparable to NOAD after MCS was adjusted for psychiatric comorbidities. Conclusions: Patients who achieved abstinence without treatment (more than 10% of all those with AD) have health status comparable to those without alcohol disorders. Our results suggest that patients with the greatest burden of illness are those who receive treatment and that abstinence improves mental health. Although patients with untreated current AD have good physical health, they may benefit from treatment due to their poor mental health.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe the clinical status of treated and untreated patients with alcohol disorders. 2. Describe the role that abstinence plays in health status for patients with alcohol disorders. 3. Analyze treatment needs for primary care patients with alcohol disorders 4. Develop strategies to improve treatment of primary care patients with alcohol disorders
Keywords: Primary Care, Alcohol
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am a half time VA employee