The illness burden of alcohol-related disorders among VA patients: the veterans health study.

Abstract

Little is known about the illness burden associated with alcohol-related disorders (ie, problem drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence) among patients in outpatient medical care. The objective of this study was to examine several aspects of illness burden-medical comorbidities, patterns of health services use, and functional status-among Veterans Health Administration (VA) ambulatory care patients with alcohol-related disorders. Male participants (N = 2425) were recruited at 1 of 4 Boston-area VA outpatient clinics. They completed self-report screening measures of current alcohol-related disorders (CAGE score > or =2 with past year alcohol consumption), health behaviors, medical comorbidities, and functional status (SF-36). A medical history interview, which assessed comorbid conditions and use of recent health services, was also administered. Screening criteria for current alcohol-related disorders were satisfied by 12%; however, only 40% of these reported ever receiving treatment specifically for alcohol-related disorders. Patients who screened positive for alcohol-related disorders reported significantly greater limitations in mental health function, longer hospitalizations for medical care in the prior year, and fewer outpatient medical visits in the previous 3 months. Findings suggest considerable illness burden associated with alcohol-related disorders among VA ambulatory care patients. Efforts to increase detection and treatment of alcohol-related disorders may lessen the illness burden and cost of alcohol-related disorders.

• Authors: Dorcas Mansell, Walter Penk, Cheryl S Hankin, Austin Lee, Avron Spiro 3rd, Katherine M Skinner, Juling Hsieh, Lewis E Kazis
• Journal: The Journal of ambulatory care management (J Ambul Care Manage) 2006 Jan-Mar Vol. 29 Issue 1 Pg. 61-70 ISSN: 0148-9917 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16340620 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Alcoholism (complications)
• Cost of Illness
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• United States
• United States Department of Veterans Affairs