The effect of disulfiram ("Anticol") treatment lasting from 7 to 12 months of 57 alcohol dependent out-patients was evaluated. The satisfactory results (i.e. patients remained abstinent and took the medication regularly) were observed in 30 patients. Those patients did not differ from others in regard to age, length of alcohol abuse, the severity of dependence, the genetic encumbrance , the features of alexithymia , and the membership of AA-clubs. The percentage of patients with positive treatment results was significantly higher among subjects with high self-motivation to treatment, among married subjects, and among those professionally active. The findings are similar to the recent American results where about a half of alcoholics showed positive effects of disulfiram treatment, especially those with high motivation to the treatment and with the stabile social position.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Biochemical markers in relation to the degree of alcohol dependence].

In 93 alcohol dependent patients following laboratory tests were done: gamma-glutamic transpeptidase (GGTP), aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), mean erythrocyte volume (MCV), triglycerides (TGL), and HDL-cholesterol to whole-cholesterol ratio (HDLC%). The psychometric evaluation was made by MAST questionnaire and by authors clinical scale for the evaluation of alcohol dependence. Lover values of GGTP and SGOT were shown in patients during abstinence than in subjects continuing drinking. Patients more severely dependent showed higher HDLC%. The more frequent abnormalities reflected: GGTP (33.7%), MCV (33.7%), and HDLC (31.4%). The use of these 3 markers allowed to reveal abnormalities in 72.1% of subjects, while the use of all 5 markers - in 81.4%. The identification significance of markers was different in persons with more and less severe alcohol dependence. Three most sensible markers in the group of less dependent subjects were GGTP, MCV, TGL (60% of subjects showed abnormalities regarding these markers). Among more severe dependent subjects HDLC%, GGTP, and MCV were most sensible markers (78.4% of abnormalities). Using all 5 markers the abnormalities in the group of less severe dependent subjects were found in 71.4%, and in the group of more severe dependent patients--in 88.2%.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Severity of alcohol dependence and social functioning of male patients with alcoholism. I. Functioning in the sharing of marital roles].

The relations between social functioning and severity of alcohol dependence of 40 male patients from Dependence Treatment Ward in Bydgoszcz were studied. Using the MAST, CAGE, and self clinical scale the cohort was divided into two groups: less and more severe dependent probands. The demographic and social data of patients from both groups did not differ significantly. Social functiong was evaluated by use the Scale of Social Roles taking into consideration the set of marital roles (with basic roles of sexual partner, friend, guardian, and family support). The disposition to perform the role, privileges, fulfilling the duties, activity, and harmonization of the role were estimated in each of the role mentioned above and in every patient. It was shown that subjects more dependent on alcohol are significantly less active in the role of sexual partner and in support of family, as well as are less effective in performing such roles and are more egoistic in the role of sexual partner than men less dependent on alcohol. No differences were found in other roles among studied groups. The revealed differences were discussed in the aspect of psychologica and interactive hanges in marital couple.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Severity of alcohol dependence and social functioning of male patients with alcoholism. II. Functioning in parental, employee's and autonomous roles].

The relations between social functioning and severity of alcohol dependence of 40 male patients from Dependence Treatment Ward in Bydgoszcz were studied. Using the MAST, CAGE, and self clinical scale the cohort was divided into two groups: less and more severe dependent probands. The demographic and social data of patients from both groups did not differ significantly. Social functioning was evaluated by use the Scale of Social Roles taking into consideration the set of basic roles: role of guardian, family support, educator, superior, subordinate, member of social group, patient, and the role of child. The dispositions to perform the role, privileges, fulfilling the duties, activity, and harmonization of the role were estimated in each of the role mentioned above and in every patient. It was shown that subjects more dependent on alcohol are significantly less active in the role of family support, educator, subordinate, and they possess significantly less dispositions to the role of educator and superior. No differences were shown between the groups regarding other characteristics of each role. The comparison of joint structural elements of the whole set of roles among more dependent patients showed deficits of social functioning as follow: the impairment of dispositions and fulfilling of duties as well as lesser activity, in comparison with less dependent probands. The level of privileges obtained from the roles did not differ in both groups. The specific influence of alcohol dependence severity on the way of social functioning demonstrated in the study may show the directions of therapy.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Degree of alcohol dependence and the level of dysfunction of the cognitive processes evaluated by psychological tests].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Plasma proteins as biochemical markers of alcohol abuse].

Fractions of plasma proteins were marked in 135 alcohol dependent men. The increase in the level of beta globulins was found in 58%, a fall in the level of gamma globulins was found in 52% and in 26% of patients a fall in the level of albumin was recorded. Patients with a shorter period of dependence more frequently showed a lowering of the concentration of gamma globulin (59% of cases). Persons with a greater pathological pattern of dependence, however, showed an increase in the level of beta globulin (65% of cases). The joint use of beta globulin and gamma globulin as markers of alcohol abuse allowed for the detection of irregularities in the range of at least one of the above mentioned markers in 84% of the patients. The joint use of albumin, beta globulin and gamma globulin showed irregularities in at least one of these three tests in 90% of the patients. The authors conclude that marking the changes in the fraction of plasma proteins may be used as a biochemical marker of alcohol abuse.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Depression and alcoholism: a potential familial-genetic relationship].

In the paper, a review of literature was done for a potential familialgenetic relationship between alcohol dependence and depression. The incidence of secondary alcoholism in patients with depression may have different pathogenesis depending on gender: men with primary depression and alcoholism may exhibit two distinct illnesses, while in women secondary alcoholism may be a form of affective disorder (depression spectrum disease). Studies on the prevalence of alcohol dependence in families of depressive patients are inconsistent: some authors observed an increased risk of alcohol dependence while others did not. Secondary depression in alcohol dependent patients usually results from the pharmacological effect of alcohol, is concommittant with withdrawal syndrome or may be connected with psychological problems related to alcohol abuse. Usually, such depressive symptoms improve within 2-4 weeks after cessation of drinking and do not require additional treatment. However, the risk of major depression in alcohol-dependent persons is twice as high as in general population. Among various contemporary hypotheses about the genetic link between alcohol dependence and depression, a conception of "depressive spectrum", formulated by Winokur, received the strongest support from clinical and familial studies.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The case of central pontine myelinolysis in an alcohol dependent male].

Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to numerous central nervous system lesions, among them central pontine myelinolysis. In this paper, the first in Polish literature case of central pontine myelinolysis in an alcohol dependent male, clinically diagnosed, and confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance with one year follow-up has been presented. The patient, 49 years old, was admitted to Addiction Treatment Unit, Department of Psychiatry in Bydgoszcz. After admission he manifested clouded consciousness, dysphasia, hyponatremia and neuropsychological abnormalities which showed brain stem lesion. He had no significant abnormalities in CT. Nuclear magnetic resonance revealed triangular hypointensive lesion 10 x 5 mm in central pontine region. One year after admission to Addiction Treatment Unit he still has troubles with walking and swallowing. He has bilateral pyramidal symptoms and emotional lability. He was treated with vinpocetine (0.075 g per day), piracetam (4.8 g per day) and chlorprotixen (0.09 g per day). He was admitted to Psychiatric Ward because of a suicidal attempt as a manifestation of mood disorder due to general medical condition.

Alcoholism↗