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Citation
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Lucht M, Quellmalz A, Mende M, Broda A, Schmiedeknecht A, Brosteanu O, Höppner-Buchmann J, Langosch J, Stuppe M, Schomerus G, Klauer T, Grabe HJ, Freyberger HJ, John U, Meyer C. Addiction 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Existing evidence suggests that text message interventions can help people reduce their alcohol consumption. However, studies with alcohol dependent patients are lacking. In this study a 1-year automatic mobile phone-based short messaging service (SMS) intervention on alcohol consumption in patients after alcohol detoxification in hospital was compared with treatment as usual.
DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, controlled, 2 parallel-group, observer-blinded trial SETTING: Primary and secondary care: 4 hospitals and community (1 million residents, 7600 km2 area in Germany).
PARTICIPANTS: A total of 462 patients with alcohol-dependence (ICD-10) were included during inpatient detoxification treatment. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to an SMS intervention and treatment as usual (SMS+TAU; n=230; mean age: 45.4 years; 22.6% women) or TAU alone (n=232 mean age: 44.5 years; 22.8% women).
INTERVENTIONS: Planned, automated messages were sent to patients over 1 year to record assistance needs. A "Yes" or missing response triggered a phone call from a hospital therapist. Outcome was assessed by an independent survey center.
MEASUREMENTS: The primary endpoint was a 3-category alcohol consumption measure covering months 10-12 after discharge: abstinence, non-heavy drinking, heavy drinking (men >60 g/d; women >40 g/d equal to WHO criteria: high risk and very high risk, mean consumption). Secondary endpoints were number of abstinent days over 12 months and frequency of abstinence.
FINDINGS: The arms differed primarily in the heavy drinking category (intervention group 22.2%, TAU-only group 32.3%) in months 9 to 12. This is reflected by an odds ratio (OR) 1.68, 95%CI 1.11 to 2.54, p = 0.015 for heavy drinking vs. non-heavy drinking/abstinence. No difference between treatments was found with respect to any drinking vs. abstinence (OR=1.13). These results were confirmed by models adjusting for randomisation strata.
CONCLUSIONS: In Germany, a 12 month mobile phone short messaging service-based intervention enhanced the reduction in heavy drinking for 1 year in routine care among adults with alcohol dependence discharged from inpatient alcohol detoxification.
Language: en |