Problematic alcohol use in Austrian apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Problematic alcohol use was twice as likely in apprentices with depressive and anxiety symptoms.

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Problematic alcohol use was more prevalent in apprentices over 18.

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Problematic alcohol use was not related to gender, migration background or lockdown.

This study assessed problematic alcohol use in Austrian apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey was performed via REDCap with a sample of 1442 apprentices (53.3% female, 45.4% male, 1.1% non-binary, 28.4% migration background) from 29th March to 18th May 2021. The CAGE questionnaire was used to measure problematic alcohol use. Chi-square tests revealed that problematic alcohol use was more likely in apprentices with depressive symptoms (OR: 2.1), anxiety (OR: 2.1) or insomnia (OR: 1.4) and those over 18 (OR: 1.6). There were no differences in problematic alcohol use according to gender, migration background, or lockdown status.

Efficacy of Phyllanthus niruri on improving liver functions in patients with alcoholic hepatitis: A double-blind randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION:

Phyllanthus niruri, a traditional herbal medicine, was found to be hepatoprotective as evidenced by several preclinical and clinical studies. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no clinical trials available to date to evaluate its efficacy in alcoholic hepatitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present study is a block randomized, double-blind, parallel-arm placebo-controlled trial that was designed to assess the efficacy of P. niruri on the liver and renal function parameters, total oxidant and antioxidant levels in alcoholic hepatitis patients in comparison to placebo over a 4-week period. Patients were screened by CAGE questionnaire, and those with a confirmed diagnosis of mild–moderate alcoholic hepatitis based on laboratory findings and Maddrey's discriminant function score were randomly allocated to treatment and placebo arms. Clinical assessments were done at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. A total of 454 patients were screened and 100 eligible patients were recruited for the study, and 71 were analyzed using the modified intention-to-treat approach.

RESULTS:

Serum levels of liver and renal function parameters failed to demonstrate significant improvement with P. niruri. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the level of total antioxidants with P. niruri (P = 0.034) with an additional appetite stimulant activity (P = 0.03) in 4 weeks.

CONCLUSION:

A 4-week administration of P. niruri in mild–moderate alcoholic hepatitis patients showed an improvement in the total antioxidant levels with an appetite stimulant activity compared to a placebo.

Exploring the Burn Model System National Database: Burn injuries, substance misuse, and the CAGE questionnaire

Burn survivors who misuse alcohol and/other substances have been associated with poorer long-term outcomes and clinical complications following injury. The self-reported CAGE questionnaire (Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, and Eye-opener) is an outcomes assessment tool used to screen for potential substance misuse. Understanding the persistence and emergence of potential substance misuse through examination of CAGE scores may provide important information about this population. Using data collected from the Burn Model System National Database, demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals who reported positive CAGE scores (total score of ≥2) and those who reported negative CAGE scores (total score of 0 or 1) for either alcohol or other drugs were compared.

Substance and Alcohol use in Young Adults in Turkey as Indicated by the CAGE Questionnaire and Drinking Frequency

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to determine drinking problems and to analyze the socio-demographic factors associated with problematic alcohol use in young adults.

METHODS

The study included 262 students who were surveyed for substance use problems in a postgraduate program using the Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye opener (CAGE) Questionnaire. The relationships between socio-demographic variables and alcohol use were assessed using both univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Of the whole sample, 56.11% reported that they had tried drinking alcohol and 1.91% had tried cannabis. The prevalence of problematic alcohol use was 15.3% and 29.7% according to CAGE1+ and past-year drinking frequency, respectively. Alcohol use by mothers was an important differentiating factor for alcohol use by their daughters. Graduating from a university located in the Eastern/Southeastern Anatolia regions, graduating from a private high school, and having average academic performance levels were determinants of problematic alcohol use according to CAGE1+ and frequency of drinking.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests there is need for early intervention to prevent exposure to the risk factors for problematic alcohol use in young adults, emphasizing that probable presence of an alcohol use disorder and high frequency of drinking are related to socio-demographic factors (high school type, geographical location of the university, and family structure).

Problem drinking is associated with increased prevalence of sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lima, Peru

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use is an important but understudied HIV risk factor among men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly in Latin America. We studied the relationship between problem drinking and sexual risk among MSM in Lima, Peru.

METHODS

We recruited 718 participants from 24 neighborhoods for a study on sexually transmitted infections and community-building among MSM. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with problem drinking, which was defined via the CAGE Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of 718 participants, 58% met criteria for problem drinking. In univariate analysis, problem drinkers were significantly more likely to report failing to always use condoms, use alcohol or drugs prior to their most recent sexual encounter, report a history of sexual coercion and to engage in transactional sex. Problem drinkers also reported significantly higher numbers of recent and lifetime sexual partners. In multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with problem drinking included a history of sexual coercion [OR 1.8 95%, CI 1.2-2.6], having consumed alcohol prior to the most recent sexual encounter [OR 2.1 95%, CI 1.5-2.9], receiving compensation for sex in the last six months [OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.2] or having reported a prior HIV+ test [OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9].

DISCUSSION

We found a high prevalence of problem drinking among MSM in Lima, Peru, which was associated with increased sexual risk in our study. Of note, individuals who were already HIV-infected were less likely to be problem drinkers. Further studies and targeted interventions to reduce problem drinking among MSM are warranted.

Diagnosis of alcohol misuse and alcoholic liver disease among patients in the medical emergency admission service of a large urban hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa; a cross sectional study

Introduction

Uganda is among the top ten consumers of alcohol worldwide though there is little data on alcohol related liver disease. We describe alcohol use, alcohol misuse, and alcoholic liver disease among adults at the emergency admission service of a large urban hospital in Uganda.

Methods

All adults who consented were prospectively evaluated for alcohol use by inquiry and alcohol misuse by the “Cutting down, Annoyance, Guilt and Eye-opener- CAGE” questionnaire. Alcohol related hepatocellular liver injury was assessed using aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels. A combination of CAGE score ≥2 and De Ritis ratio ≥2 defined alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and viral hepatitis B and C serologies were evaluated in all the patients. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated to answer our research questions.

Results

Three hundred and eighty individuals consented and participated in the study. Among these, 46.8% acknowledged use of alcohol while 21% and 10% met the study definition of alcoholic misuse and alcoholic liver disease respectively. Both alcohol misuse and alcoholic liver disease was significantly associated (p-value ≤ 0.05) with male gender, region of origin, number of life time sexual partners and serum albumin below 3.5 mg/dl after univariate and multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Alcohol misuse and alcoholic liver disease is frequent in this medical emergency unit. Our study suggests a link between alcohol misuse or alcoholic liver disease and male gender, region of origin, number of sexual partners, and serum albumin below 3.5mg/dl.