Abstract

Aim. To investigate whether changes in alcohol consumption (AC) are associated with changes in HRQoL scores among PHC patients with hazardous and harmful drinking habits.

Methods. A 12-month fol low-up study included 93 adult patients screened positive for an alcohol use disorder, who underwent BI after screening. The main outcome measures were AC (measured by Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT), and physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component scores of HRQoL (measured by SF-36). Linear regression analysis was used to predict variation in PCS and MCS from the change of the AUDIT score during the follow-up period.

Results. At follow-up 12 months later, 81.7% of the study participants demonstrated a significant decrease of average AUDIT score (from 12.3±0.5 to 7.5±0.5, p<0.001) and an increase of PCS (from 68.3±2.5 to 76.1±2.0, p<0.05). The MCS increased from 68.2±2.5 to 73.9±2.0 (p=0.068). Regression analysis showed that the decrease of AUDIT score during follow-up was positively associated with PCS but did not have a significant effect on MCS.

Conclusion. Reduced AC proceeding from BI was positively associated with the PCS of HRQoL among PHC patients with hazardous and harmful drinking habits.