Increased gastrointestinal symptoms in chronic alcoholics.

Although chronic alcoholics frequently present with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, the precise prevalence of GI symptoms in this group is unknown. Accordingly, we compared the frequency and severity of GI symptoms in 48 male alcoholics with those of 48 nonalcoholic controls. A standardized questionnaire was administered on two separate occasions to all subjects, and 14 GI symptoms were evaluated for three periods (during active drinking, early withdrawal, and sobriety). Symptom severity was assessed with a visual analog scale (1-10). Both actively drinking and withdrawing alcoholics had more frequent heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence, and more severe chest pain, milk intolerance, and postprandial fullness. These symptoms were transient and did not correlate with the quantity of alcohol consumed. Thus, alcoholics have more frequent and more severe GI symptoms which resolve quickly during abstinence and which predominantly occur while actively drinking rather than during withdrawal.