2. |
- Gerdner, Arne, et al.
(författare)
-
Mortality of treated alcoholics after eight years in relation to short-term outcome
- 1997
-
Ingår i: Alcohol and Alcoholism. - 0735-0414 .- 1464-3502. ; 32:5, s. 573-579
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study concerns the relation between mortality and the short-term outcome of inpatient treatment for alcoholism. A total of 121 patients (87 men, 34 women) were included, of whom 89 were voluntary and 32 compulsorily committed. They had a mean age of 41±7 (SD) years and attended a 5-week programme at Runnagården, Örebro, Sweden. Most patients were socially unstable and severely alcohol-dependent. Ten months (mean) after discharge, 96% of the patients and their referring social workers were contacted with mail questionnaires. Of these patients, 13% had been totally abstinent and a further 42% improved but had had relapses. After a mean of 8.5±0.27 years, 27 patients (24%) had died. All abstainers survived, but non-abstainers had nine-fold higher mortality than expected. Non-abstinent improved women tended to survive longer than non-improved women, but among non-abstinent improved men no such tendency was found. In conclusion, a reduction in the frequency and quantity of abusive drinking was not enough to reduce the higher risk of death. Only abstinence seemed to be preventive.
|
|