Concurrent alcohol and cocaine dependence impact on physical health among psychiatric patients.
The aim of this study was to examine the association between active, concomitant cocaine and alcohol dependence and the prevalence and patterns of comorbid physical disorders in a sample of substance abusing hospitalized psychiatric patients. Three groups of patients (concomitant cocaine and alcohol dependence (AD + CD) (N = 38), alcohol dependence (AD) only (N = 38), and cocaine dependence (CD) only (N = 25)) consecutively admitted to a psychiatric-substance abuse dual diagnosis unit were comparatively examined for the frequency of comorbid physical disorders diagnoses, including viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, and on liver function tests and electrocardiographic abnormalities. The results indicated that the concomitant alcohol and cocaine dependence group had higher rates of multiple physical disorders and also of multiple hepatitis infections than either the alcohol-only or the cocaine-only groups.
Salloum
Ihsan M
IM
Addiction Medicine Services, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Douaihy
Antoine
A
Ndimbie
Oliver K
OK
Kirisci
Levent
L
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data