ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Heavy alcohol drinking and propensity to risk taking behaviour may both be associated with the occurrence of high risk behaviour. The present study was carried out to examine the association between high risk behaviours and alcohol abuse among patients admitted to an inpatient facility for treatment of alcohol dependence syndrome. Methods: Using event analysis technique, the prevalence and type of high risk behaviour as a consequence of a heavy drinking episode was identified among heavy drinkers. Four types of high risk behaviour namely road traffic accidents, violence, self-injurious and risky sexual behaviour were studied. Patients with and without high risk behaviour were compared on measures of severity of drinking, sensation seeking and impulsivity using addiction severity index, sensation seeking scale and Baratt’s impulsivity scale respectively. Results: In 300 subjects with alcohol dependence syndrome, the most common high risk behaviour was road traffic accident following alcohol use. In 193 (64.3%) subjects heavy drinking episode was associated with high risk behaviours. Compared to those without high risk behaviours, the subjects with high risk behaviours had higher scores on sensation seeking scale and addiction severity index. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings indicated that there was a high prevalence of high risk behaviour following an episode of heavy drinking in male patients with alcohol dependence syndrome. Both, severity of drinking and personality factors were associated with the occurrence of high risk behaviour as a consequence of heavy drinking.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Traffic/psychology , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects , Alcoholism/complications , Alcoholism/psychology , Humans , Impulsive Behavior/etiology , India , Logistic Models , Male , Personality , Surveys and Questionnaires , Risk-TakingABSTRACT
Distúrbios neuropsicológicos são encontrados em até 30 por cento de crianças com Distúrbio Ventilatório Obstrutivo (DVO). OBJETIVO: Analisar a incidência de distúrbios neuropsicológicos em crianças brasileiras com diagnóstico de DVO, através de um questionário de screening, e comparar respostas antes e depois do tratamento cirúrgico. PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas 30 crianças com diagnóstico clínico de DVO divididas em 3 grupos etários: grupo I com crianças de 4 a 7 anos, grupo II de 8 a 10 anos e grupo III com 11 anos ou mais. Os questionários foram respondidos pelos pais/responsáveis, contendo 30 questões divididas em bloco de 10 sobre déficit de atenção, hiperatividade e impulsividade. As crianças receberam o diagnóstico de um dos distúrbios quando apresentavam 3 ou mais questões positivas. A segunda entrevista ocorreu 6 meses após a adenotonsilectomia. RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio do sexo masculino (60,6 por cento) em relação ao sexo feminino (39,4 por cento). O grupo II foi o que apresentou mais significativas mudanças, com redução de 87,5 por cento a 33,3 por cento dos pacientes com déficit de atenção, 75 por cento a 50 por cento dos hiperativos e 50 por cento a 33 por cento dos impulsivos. CONCLUSÕES: Houve melhora neuropsicológica após a cirurgia, o que ocorreu principalmente no grupo de escolares (8 a 10 anos). Maior interação entre os profissionais de saúde é necessária no diagnóstico e acompanhamento dessas crianças.
Neuropsychological disorders are frequently associated with obstructive ventilatory disorders (OVD). AIM: To analyze the incidence of neuropsychological disorders in Brazilian children with OVD, using a screening questionnaire and to compare the answers given before and after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 30 children with clinical diagnosis of OVD. The children were divided into 3 groups: group I, children aged 4 to 7; group II, from 8 to 10; and group III, children over 11. The applied questionnaires were answered by the parents or tutors, and comprised 30 questions, 10 for each disorder: attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The children were diagnosed with one of the disorders when presented 3 or more positive answers. The follow up interview occurred 6 months after adenotonsillectomy. RESULTS: There was a predominance of male gender (60.6 percent) over female gender (39.4 percent). Group II presented the highest number of significant changes, with reductions raging from 87.5 percent to 33.3 percent of patients with attention deficit, 75 percent to 50 percent of the hyperactive patients, and 50 percent to 33 percent of the impulsive patients. CONCLUSION: There was neuropsychological improvement after the surgery, which occurred mainly in the children from group II. More interaction among health professionals is necessary when diagnosing and following up similar cases.