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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Young-Hee Yoon, PhD and Hsiao-ye Yi, PhD. Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, CSR Incorporated, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-741-7152, yhyoon@csrincorporated.com

Background: Despite the increasing application of the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) measure in assessing disabilities with respect to treatment outcomes, only a few studies have explored the relationship between alcohol use disorders (AUD) and the comprehensive domains of HRQL. The current study examines the effect of AUD on mental and physical disabilities as defined by HRQL in the general population. Methods: All respondents in the NIAAA 2001–2002 NESARC survey were selected for the study (N=43,093). The outcome measures were the mental and physical component scores and the scores of the 8 specific domains of impairment in the HRQL, evaluated by the SF-12v2. AUD included alcohol abuse and dependence in the past year. The reference group was no AUD diagnosis or symptoms. Multiple regression was used to assess the effect of AUD on the outcome scores. The model was estimated separately for males and females and controlled for age, race/ethnicity, education, drinking status, drug use disorder, mood/anxiety/personality disorders, and selected medical conditions. Results: Preliminary results showed that both male and female respondents with AUD presented greater mental disabilities than their non-AUD counterparts. Respondents with alcohol dependence had greater mental disabilities than those with alcohol abuse. Among males, AUD had no significant effect on physical disabilities. Among females, contrary to expectations, respondents with alcohol dependence showed a lower level of physical disabilities than their non-AUD counterparts. Further analyses will examine whether and how the relationships between AUD and mental/physical disabilities vary across specific domains of impairment in HRQL.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to

(
• understand the key concept of health-related quality of life based on SF-12v2 mental and physical disability scales; (
• evaluate the role of alcohol use disorder on health-related quality of life; (
• gain increased understanding of the diverse effects of alcohol use disorder on quality of life among males and females.

Keywords: Alcoholism, Quality Assurance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered