People with alcohol-dependence treated in Tuscany Region (Central Italy) and in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Northern Italy): an epidemiological study

Aim: The study aimed to increase knowledge about alcohol consumption, somatic and mental co-morbidities, social problems, and use of health care services among people treated for alcohol-dependence (AD) and alcohol abuse in Tuscany and Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG), and to compare how these two regions differ on the above mentioned variables. Design and method: Cross-sectional study, with data collected via face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire. Outcome analyses were based on chi-square tests and logistic regressions. Participants: A sample of alcohol addiction patients treated in Tuscany (N = 147) and in FVG (N = 129) were interviewed between July 2013 and February 2014.Main results: Patients with alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse have a lower socioeconomic status in Tuscany (47.9%) than in FVG (35.7%; OR = 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1,06-2,86). Reported liver problems, anxiety and depression were significantly higher in Tuscany compared to FVG (respectively 35.4% vs. 22.5%, OR = 1.89, 95%CI 1,10- 3,22); 58,6% vs 35,7, (OR=2,56, 95%CI 2,56- 4,16); 58,9% vs 37,2% (OR=2,42, 95%CI 1,49-3,93). With regard to each of the 11 DSM-IV criteria of alcohol dependence and abuse, the probability that they occurred was 1.9 to 12 times significantly less in Tuscany than in FVG. The probability of access to Emergency Department (DEA) was lower in Tuscany than in FVG (33.3% vs 15.8%, OR=0,37, 95%CI 0,21-0,67), while contacts with general practitioners were more frequent in Tuscany than in FVG (51.7% vs. 38.8%, OR = 1.69, 95%CI 1,05-2,73).Conclusion: The study shows that among patients with DSM-IV AD and alcohol abuse, perceived health problems and lower socio-economic conditions are greater Tuscany than in FVG; such differences could be attributed to the diverse attentions that the two regions have towards these comorbidities.Furthermore, FVG had a greater severity of alcohol dependence and abuse than in Tuscany, with a higher consumption of hospital services, particularly of DEA, which could parallel the different drinking cultures in the two regions.

Keywords: Alcohol addiction; alcohol abuse; DSM IV; alcohol-related psycho-social and health problems; use of health services; Tuscany and Friuli Venezia Giulia

Allaman Allamani, Stefano Bravi, Pasquale Pepe, Fabio Voller, Pierluigi Struzzo, Jakob Manthey, Jurgen Rehm, Persone con alcol-dipendenza in trattamento in Toscana e in Friuli Venezia Giulia: uno studio epidemiologico in "MISSION" 52/2018, pp 27-34, DOI: 10.3280/mis52-2018oa8357