Is the health profile of problem drinkers different from that of other patients?
Health problems presented to the family physician over a 2-year period were compared between a group of 108 problem drinkers and a group of matched control subjects. Although the problem drinkers had a higher prevalence of many types of problems, the major differences occurred for traumatic injury, digestive disorders, and family or social dysfunction. Such problem areas could comprise a brief checklist to aid in the detection of problem-drinking patients. Information presented to the patient concerning the wide range of problems associated with their drinking may also help break through the denial so characteristic of this population.
Rush
B
B
Addiction Research Foundation, University of Western Ontario, London.
Brennan
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005190:Family; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications