BACKGROUND: Lifetime prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in general population is reported to be 6.8%. Individuals with alcohol dependence and substance abusers have high prevalence of PTSD. However, the prevalence of PTSD in heavy drinkers with alcoholic hepatitis is not known.
AIM: To determine the prevalence of PTSD in heavy drinkers with and without alcoholic hepatitis.
METHODS: We screened for PTSD using Primary Care -PTSD questionnaire among heavy drinkers with (n=115) and without (n=64) alcoholic hepatitis participating in a multicenter observational study in which participants were followed up to 12 months following their enrollment.
RESULTS: The prevalence of PTSD in heavy drinkers with alcoholic hepatitis was 34% and was not different from heavy drinking controls without liver disease (34%). In the entire group screened for PTSD, the presence of PTSD was associated with higher alcohol consumption as reported by average drinks per last 30 days, and average grams of alcohol consumed per day (p = 0.047 for both tests), but not associated with relapse of heavy drinking or mortality. Similarly, patients with alcoholic hepatitis and PTSD did not have higher relapse rate, or higher mortality compared to patients with alcoholic hepatitis but no PTSD.
CONCLUSION: Compared to previously reported prevalence in general population, heavy drinking individuals with or without alcoholic hepatitis have significantly higher prevalence of PTSD. However, PTSD was not associated with higher relapse rate, or higher mortality in this population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.