Introduction: Alcohol consumption has been on rise in developing as well as developed world. It is not only associated with pathologies like Peripheral Vascular disease, avascular necrosis of bones, cirrhosis of liver and hepatocellular carcinoma but also it has got a strong relationship with psychiatric co-morbidities including but not limited to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, adjustment disorders, delusional disorders, schizophrenia, anti-social personality disorder and suicidal tendencies. In Indian context the problem of alcohol dependence is increasing due to the factors like stress and change in life style. We conducted this prospective study to find out presence of psychiatric co-morbidities in individuals with alcohol dependence.

Aims and Objectives: To find out the prevalence of co-morbid psychiatric illnesses in individuals with alcohol dependence.

Materials and Methods: We conducted this prospective observational study after obtaining approval from institutional ethical committee. The study was conducted in department of psychiatry of a tertiary care medical institute situated in an urban area. A total of 80 patients aged between 20 to 60 years attending psychiatric outpatient department and having alcohol dependence were studied for presence of coexistent psychiatric co-morbidities. The patients were included on the basis of predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Psychiatric co-morbidities were diagnosed by International Classification of Diseases Diagnostic criteria for research- Tenth Revision. (ICD-10 DCR). The data was analyzed using Minitab version 17.

Results: Out of 80 studied cases majority were males (97.5%) with a F:M ratio of 1: 39. The most common age group with alcohol dependence was found to be in between 31-40 years (35%). The most common co-morbid psychiatric disorders in studied cases were found to be generalized anxiety disorder (12/80) followed by depression (10/80), antisocial personality disorder (9/80), bipolar disorder (7/80), delusional disorders (5/80) and phobias (3/80).

Conclusion: Psychiatric co-morbidities are frequently seen in individuals with alcohol dependence. Their early recognition and relevant intervention is crucial to the successful management of these patients.

Keywords: Alcohol Dependence, Psychiatric co-morbidities, Depression, Early Intervention.

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Dr Manish Thakre

Associate Professor Department of Psychiatry

Government Medical College Nagpur