Anna Mejldal1, Kjeld Andersen1,2,3, Silke Behrendt1,3,4, Randi Bilberg1,2, Michael Bogenschutz5,6, Barbara Braun-Michl7, Gerhard Bühringer1,7,8, Anette Søgaard Nielsen1,2,3. 1. Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research (UCAR), Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark, Odense. 2. Department of Mental Health Odense, Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark. 3. Brain Research-Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence (BRIDGE), Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense C, Denmark. 4. Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Health, University of Southern, Denmark. 5. NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y, USA. 6. Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N. Mex, USA. 7. IFT Institut für Therapieforschung, Munich, Germany. 8. Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Studies have found that reductions in World Health Organization (WHO) drinking risk levels may be a stable outcome of treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and associated with functional improvements. The aim of this study was to investigate if post-treatment reductions in WHO drinking risk levels are stable over time, also among older adults, and are associated with a decrease in consequences of drinking and AUD symptoms, and improved quality of life. METHODS: Participants. Individuals 60+ years old, suffering from DSM-5 AUD (n=693), and seeking outpatient treatment. MEASUREMENTS: WHO drinking risk levels, prior to treatment and at all follow-up points up to one year after treatment start, were assessed with Form 90. Outcomes at follow-up included consequences of drinking (Drinkers Inventory of Consequences), Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and DSM-5 AUD symptoms (M.I.N.I.). Logistic regression and linear mixed models were used to examine the probability of maintaining risk-level reductions at follow-up and the association between risk-level reductions and outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: Reductions in risk levels were maintained over time (at least one-level: OR 5.39, 95% CI 3.43,8.47; at least two levels: OR 9.30, 95% CI 6.14,14.07). Reductions were associated with reduced consequences of drinking and number of AUD symptoms, and statistically significant but with minor improvements in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining reductions in WHO risk levels appears achievable for older adults seeking treatment for AUD. The small effect on reduction of AUD symptoms and improvement of quality of life indicate that these reductions should not be applied as the only treatment goal. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Studies have found that reductions in World Health Organization (WHO) drinking risk levels may be a stable outcome of treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and associated with functional improvements. The aim of this study was to investigate if post-treatment reductions in WHO drinking risk levels are stable over time, also among older adults, and are associated with a decrease in consequences of drinking and AUD symptoms, and improved quality of life. METHODS:Participants. Individuals 60+ years old, suffering from DSM-5 AUD (n=693), and seeking outpatient treatment. MEASUREMENTS: WHO drinking risk levels, prior to treatment and at all follow-up points up to one year after treatment start, were assessed with Form 90. Outcomes at follow-up included consequences of drinking (Drinkers Inventory of Consequences), Quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), and DSM-5 AUD symptoms (M.I.N.I.). Logistic regression and linear mixed models were used to examine the probability of maintaining risk-level reductions at follow-up and the association between risk-level reductions and outcomes, respectively. RESULTS: Reductions in risk levels were maintained over time (at least one-level: OR 5.39, 95% CI 3.43,8.47; at least two levels: OR 9.30, 95% CI 6.14,14.07). Reductions were associated with reduced consequences of drinking and number of AUD symptoms, and statistically significant but with minor improvements in quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Maintaining reductions in WHO risk levels appears achievable for older adults seeking treatment for AUD. The small effect on reduction of AUD symptoms and improvement of quality of life indicate that these reductions should not be applied as the only treatment goal. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alcohol Treatment Outcomes; Alcohol Use Disorder; Quality of Life; World Health Organization Drinking Risk Levels
Authors: Emily E Hartwell; Richard Feinn; Katie Witkiewitz; Timothy Pond; Henry R Kranzler Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2021-07-05 Impact factor: 3.928