A three-axes approach of subtyping the alcohol dependence syndrome.
Subtyping of alcoholics according to specific characteristics has a long tradition in alcoholism research with a number of different typologies that emerged in the literature. The goal of the present study was to test a multidimensional approach of subtyping with characteristics from different axes. Therefore, male inpatients meeting ICD-10 criteria for alcohol dependence were rated on three axes by assessing their degree of sensation seeking (personality axis), age of alcoholism onset (clinical axis) and level of dopamine activity (neurobiological axis). By using a configuration frequency analysis, we identified a subtype that was characterized by high sensation seeking early age of alcoholism onset and high dopamine activity. This subtype, which is in accordance with clinical experience and cannot be explained by antisocial personality disorder, embodied a significantly greater proportion of alcoholics than expected. The result emphasizes the usefulness of multidimensional approaches integrating personality, clinical and neurobiological characteristics.
Wiesbeck
Gerhard A
GA
Division of Substance Use Disorders, Psychiatric University Hospital, CH-4025 Basel, Switzerland. gerhard.wiesbeck@upkbs.ch
Dürsteler-MacFarland
Kenneth M
KM
Walter
Marc
M
Weijers
Heinz-Gerd
HG
Boening
Jobst
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome
D004298:Dopamine