Predictors of mortality in alcoholic men: a 20-year follow-up study.
This study investigates the predictors of mortality in 156 male alcoholics who were psychiatrically hospitalized between 1967 and 1968 and followed for > 20 years. The findings showed that an older age, liver cirrhosis, and separation or divorce at intake were all associated with a shorter time to death. These results corroborate those of other follow-up studies that have identified age, health, and social support as independent correlates of mortality in alcoholics. From a therapeutic standpoint, the most alterable predictor is social support. Thus, the establishment of a salutary social network and social support system should be an integral part of the alcoholic's treatment plan.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002423:Cause of Death; D004243:Divorce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome