Depressive symptoms in alcohol dependence- a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Patients with alcohol dependence often suffer from comorbid psychiatric illnesses like depression which may influence treatment and outcomes.  Sociodemographic factors may potentially influence depressive symptoms in patients with alcohol dependence. Aims: To study the prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with alcohol dependence and to identify sociodemographic factors affecting this association. Methods: Patients with alcohol dependence above 18 years of age were included. The diagnosis was made by ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. The severity of alcohol dependence was rated with the severity of the alcohol dependence questionnaire (SADQ) and depression with the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D). Sociodemographic data were recorded in each patient. Statistical analysis was done using independent t-tests, Chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Results: The mean SADQ Score was 21.5±8.6 (range, 9-48). The severity of alcohol dependence was mild in 15(25%), moderate in 40(66.7%) and severe in 5(8.3%), respectively. The mean Hamilton depression rating scale score was 7.8±3.9(range, 3-17). The prevalence of depression in our study was 38.3%. Out of these, 17(28.3%) had mild and 6 (10%) had moderate depression. There was a positive and significant correlation between SADQ scores and depression scores (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r=0.494, P=0.001). Patients who were unemployed (ANOVA, P=0.046, separated (ANOVA, P=0.002), and joint family (ANOVA, P=0.039) had significantly higher depression scores.Conclusion: In conclusion, sociodemographic factors like unemployment, marital separation and living in joint families may significantly influence the association between alcohol dependence and depression.