An observational study on deliberate self-harm in individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome
Context: Comorbidities in alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) are often associated with poor treatment outcomes and high service utilization. Deliberate self-harm (DSH) in India is a silent epidemic. There is a shortage of research on individuals with ADS, psychiatric comorbidities, and DSH. Aim: To s...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2023-01-01
|
| Series: | Industrial Psychiatry Journal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.industrialpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0972-6748;year=2023;volume=32;issue=2;spage=369;epage=374;aulast=Sutradhar |
| Summary: | Context: Comorbidities in alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) are often associated with poor treatment outcomes and high service utilization. Deliberate self-harm (DSH) in India is a silent epidemic. There is a shortage of research on individuals with ADS, psychiatric comorbidities, and DSH. Aim: To study DSH and psychiatric comorbidity in persons with ADS. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study of 1-year duration is conducted in out patient department/indoor patient department of a tertiary care hospital. Methods and Material: Eighty-one individuals with ADS were selected purposefully. A semi-structured pro forma, the severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory were administered for assessment. The statistical analysis used is as follows: correlation statistics and logistic regression. Results: Most subjects were married, belonged to upper-middle socioeconomic status, had at least secondary education, and had moderate alcohol dependence severity. Almost 3/4th of the subjects had at least one lifetime psychiatric disorder. A past episode of major depressive disorder was found in 47%. Nearly 20% of study subjects had a history of DSH, which was significantly associated with unmarried status, and earlier age of alcohol dependence. Marital status, educational level, and age of onset of alcohol dependence explain 64.3% of the variance in DSH attempts. Suicidality was significantly related to the presence of DSH. Conclusions: The study found a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders and a history of DSH in individuals with ADS. The study confirmed the association between DSH and suicidality and indicated a specific subpopulation of ADS who need thorough clinical assessments to recognize these psychiatric comorbidities and DSH. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0972-6748 0976-2795 |