Decreased alcohol consumption in outpatient drinkers is associated with improved quality of life and fewer alcohol-related consequences.
This study's objective was to determine whether changes in alcohol consumption are associated with changes in quality of life and alcohol-related consequences in an outpatient sample of drinkers. Two hundred thirteen subjects completed the Short Form 36-item (SF-36) Health Survey and the Short Inventory of Problems at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Subjects who sustained a 30% or greater decrease in drinks per month reported improvement in SF-36 Physical Component Summary (P =.058) and Mental Component Summary (P =.037) scores and had fewer alcohol-related consequences (P <.001) when compared to those with a <30% decrease. These findings suggest another benefit of alcohol screening and intervention in the primary care setting.
Kraemer
Kevin L
KL
Center for Research on Health Care, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. kraemerkl@msx.upmc.edu
Maisto
Stephen A
SA
Conigliaro
Joseph
J
McNeil
Melissa
M
Gordon
Adam J
AJ
Kelley
Mary E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors