Comparative Study of Serum LDL And HDL In Alcoholics & Non-Alcoholics

Background : Alcohol abuse is one of the major form of addiction and a major threat to public health in developed as well as developing countries. Alcohol intake is increased in quantity and frequency over last few decades. Alcohol consumption pre-disposes subjects to changes in serum Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) which are associated with cardiovascular risk. Methods : 100 alcoholics were compared with 100 non-alcoholics. Alcohol drinking history was assessed by interview and questionnaire and we measured serum LDL and HDL level. Results : There were significant rise in HDL and LDL in chronic alcoholics when compared with non alcoholics with p value

A comparative study on hematological parameters among the social and problem drinkers admitted in a tertiary care rehabilitation centre

Background: Alcoholism is a broad form for problems with alcohol and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the determinant of drinker’s health, personal relationships and social standing. It is medically considered a disease, specifically an addictive illness. Alcohol has numerous adverse effects on the various types of blood cells and their functions. This study aimed to evaluate the hematological changes in alcoholic patients admitted in tertiary care hospital.Methods: The blood samples were collected from alcoholics admitted in a psychiatric and rehabilitation centre and the samples were processed in hematology laboratory in a tertiary care hospital. The hematological parameters (CBC) except ESR, were performed by using fully automated blood cell counters. The change in alcoholics was studied under two categories-social drinkers and problem drinkers. The results of these parameters were compared with age and sex matched normal population.Results: Total 200 cases included in which 110 were abstainers and 90 were alcoholics. Among alcoholics 67% were problem drinkers and 33% were social drinkers. The mean values of Hb, RBC and MCV in social drinkers were 11.1 g/dl, 3.1 million cells /μl and 100.5 fl, in problem drinkers were 9.8 g/dl, 2.89 million cells /μl and 105.5 fl, and in control population were 14.8 g/dl, 4.8 million cells / μl and 93 fl respectively.Conclusions: The study shown that parameters were changed in both social drinkers and problem drinkers. But predominant changes were observed in problem drinkers. The presence of elevated MCV and decreased RBC and Hb are suggestive of megaloblastic changes.

A Comparative Study of ECG Intervals in Young Male Smokers and Drinkers in Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Tobacco & Alcohol consumption has many worsthealth outcomes. Tobacco is consumed in many forms andone such form is cigarette smoking. Tobacco use leads tosudden coronary death, chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease, cancer, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension andthe list is endless. Alcohol is consumed in hard drink form.Alcohol is use leads to liver disease, brain damage, heartdisease, pancreatitis, cancer risk and the list is endless.Aim: To evaluate ECG intervals in apparently healthy youngmale smokers compared to non-smokers & Drinkers comparedto non-drinkers using a 12-lead ECG record.Objective: To evaluate and compare variations in ECG waves,segments and intervals in apparently 150 healthy young malesmokers , non-smokers and 150 drinkers, non-drinkers.Materials and Methods: Descriptive comparative study overtotal duration of 24 months. For convenience 300 young,apparently healthy smokers non-smokers, Drinkers and nondrinkers in the age group of 18 - 35 yrs. were taken.Settings and Design: Department of General Medicine OPDof Vedantaa Institute of Medical Sciences, Palghar (TertiaryCare Hospital).Results: PR interval was significantly shortened amongsmokers & drinkers. No statistically significant difference inQRS interval between the two groups (Smokers & nonSmokers) but statistically significant difference in QRS intervalbetween the two groups (Drinkers & Non Drinkers). QTcinterval was slightly higher among smokers than non-smokersalso drinkers than non-drinkers. TP interval was slightly higheramong non-smokers than smokers also non-drinkers thandrinkers. There is statistically significant decrease seen insmokers & drinkers.Conclusion: Smoking & Drinking induces significantalterations in cardiac electrophysiology like shortening of PRand TP interval, prolongation of the QTc interval in apparentlyadult male individuals which may predispose to cardiovascularmorbidity and mortality in the long run.

Daño a niños y sus familias por el consumo de alcohol: resultados de una encuesta poblacional / Alcohol's impact on children and families: A population survey

Introducción Entre los adultos jóvenes el uso de alcohol es frecuente. Este consumo puede afectar negativamente a los menores que conviven con ellos, lo que constituye el objetivo de este estudio, que forma parte de un estudio colaborativo internacional financiado por Thai Health y la OMS. Sujetos y método Se describen los efectos negativos en niños, mediante un muestreo multietápico, aplicando una entrevista adaptada por los coinvestigadores a 1.500 chilenos de más de 18 años. Resultados Un total de 408 encuestados (27,2%) convivían con niños en el hogar. De ese total, el 10,5% estimó que el uso de alcohol de algún miembro de la familia había afectado negativamente a un niño. Los efectos más comunes fueron la violencia verbal (29,7%), presenciar violencia en el hogar (23,1%), ausencia de supervisión (18,7%), falta de dinero para proveer necesidades básicas (14,3%) y violencia física (7,7%). Casi en la mitad de los casos (46,3%) el bebedor era el padre o la madre, el padrastro/madrastra, o la pareja de la madre/padre, luego venían otros parientes (24,4%), un hermano/a del niño (4,9%) o un tutor del niño (2,4%). Conclusión Estos datos corroboran la observación clínica de que el consumo de alcohol es frecuente en los hogares. El consumo excesivo daña la salud física y mental no solo del bebedor sino también de quienes lo rodean. La violencia verbal y ser testigo de violencia grave en el hogar son frecuentes, así como los problemas económicos al no poder proveer sus necesidades básicas.

Introduction Alcohol is widely used among young families, and leisure time is frequently family time. Heavy alcohol consumption can adversely affect children. The objective of this work is to measure the harm to others in Chile. Subjects and method This descriptive and probabilistic study forms part of a collaborative research funded by Thai Health and WHO. The survey was adapted by co-researchers and applied to a nationally representative sample of 1500 Chileans over 18 years of age. Results A total of 408 respondents (27.2%) lived with children at home. Of this total, 10.5% felt that the use of alcohol by any member of the family had adversely affected a child. The most common adverse effects were verbal violence (29.7%), domestic violence (23.1%), unsupervised homes (18.7%), lack of money to provide basic needs of the child (14.3%), and physical violence (7.7%). Furthermore, in 6.6% of the cases child or family services agencies became involved. In almost half of the cases (46.3%), the drinker was the father, mother or step-parents. This was followed by other relatives (24.4%) and brothers (4.9%), or guardian of the child (2.4%). Conclusion These data support the clinical observation that alcohol is common in Chilean homes. Its consumption not only damages the physical and mental health of the drinker but also those around him. Verbal violence and witnessing serious physical violence are frequent issues, as well as economic problems that end up with the inability to provide the child with its basic needs.

Evaluación de un Programa de Tratamiento para Dejar de Beber / Evaluation of a Treatment Program to Stop Drinking

El objetivo del estudio consistió en evaluar los resultados del Programa de tratamiento para personas que tienen problemas con su forma de beberdesarrollado en Centros de Integración Juvenil (CIJ). La valoración se realizó mediante un diseño cuanti-cualitativo, transversal, comparativo, ex post facto. La primera estimación, se llevó a cabo con una muestra intencional de 170 personas (133 hombres y 37 mujeres) que estaban participando en el programa. Para ello, se diseñó la Cédula de Evaluación del Programa para Bebedores (CEPROBE) que examina el área emocional, de salud, de integración social, la participación en conductas delictivas, la capacidad asertiva para enfrentar el ofrecimiento de bebidas alcohólicas y el consumo de alcohol, además de explorar la opinión general de los pacientes acerca del servicio y atención que se les brinda. Para el segundo análisis, se entrevistaron 24 psicólogos y 1 médico (7 mujeres y 18 hombres), a través de un cuestionario abierto que indaga la experiencia del terapeuta en el desarrollo del programa. En general, 47.3% de los pacientes disminuyeron el consumo, mientras que 48.5% logró abandonar el uso de alcohol. Con la prueba de Kruskal- Wallis, los resultados sugieren diferencias significativas en casi todas las áreas mencionadas y en el uso de alcohol de los sujetos. Bajo la percepción de los pacientes y del personal médico técnico, el programa cumplió con las pautas de calidad adecuadamente.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of the treatment program for people who have problems with their drinking developed at Centros de Integración Juvenil, institute dedicated to treat, prevent and investigate addictions in Mexico. The evaluation was made by a cuanti-cualitative, transversal, comparative, ex post facto design. The first estimate was carried out with a purposive sample of 170 people (133 men and 37 women) who were participating in the treatment program. To do this, was design the test of Program Evaluation for Drinkers(CEPROBE) to examine the emotional and health state, social integration, criminal behavior, assertiveness to confront the offer of alcohol, habit changes attributed to alcohol program and to assess service quality standards. For the second analysis, 24 Psychologists and 1 Physician (18 men and 7 women) were interviewed it means at an open questionnaire that explores the experience of the therapist in the course of the program. Overall, 47.3% of the patients decreased de use of alcohol, while 48.5% were able to quit it. With the Kruskal-Wallis test, the results suggest significant differences in the socio-emotional status mentioned and alcohol use of the subjects. Under the perception of patients and therapist, the program fulfilled adequately quality standards.

Ameliorative Effects of Alcohol on Human Diabetic Volunteers – A Prospective Study.

Aims: The purpose of this study is to assess and confirm the ameliorative effects of alcohol consumption on biochemical indices of blood i.e., blood glucose, HbA1c, NO2, NO3, lipid profiles, hs-CRP (high sensitive C–Reactive protein) and membrane lipid peroxidation of diabetics. Study Design: Pre-clinical and Biochemical experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Acharya Nagarjuna University and Dept. of Biotechnology, K L University, Guntur, A.P and Dept. of Biochemistry, Katuri Medical College, Katuri Nagar, Guntur, A.P and Dept. of Biochemistry, Sri Krishna Devaraya University, Anantapur, A.P and Dept. of Basic Sciences, Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science (MITS), Post Box No: 14, Angallu (V), Madanapalle, A. P., India, during 2008– 2013. Methodology: The study is conducted on 4 groups (n= 1200) of people of different ages ranging from 35 to 50 years at community health centers in Prakasam, Warangal, Srikakulam districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. The first group consists of type-II diabetic patients who have been consuming alcohol (arithmetic mean ranging from 14.16 to 31.61ml/day) moderately for the past 3 to 10 years. The second group consists of nondiabetic, moderately alcohol consuming healthy individuals. The third group consists of patients who are type-II diabetics (who do not drink) taking medical treatment for minimum period of 1 year. The fourth group consists of non-drinking, non-diabetic healthy individuals. Relationships of alcohol intake with lipid profile, hs-CRP and HBA1c are compared among the three groups. Results: In lipid profile analysis of moderately drinking diabetic group, the HDL levels are found to be higher while the remaining factors such as total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL (P<0.05), triglycerides (P<0.01) and membrane lipid peroxidation are significantly lower. Fasting serum glucose levels are lowered, while serum nitrites and nitrates are found to be significantly higher. These differences are not found in abstainers group and Diabetic group who do not drink. Conclusion: Moderate consumption of alcohol in diabetic individuals is found to have an inverse association with the risky factors like LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides, etc. that are the etiological factors for some of the sequelae of diabetes mellitus i.e., coronary heart diseases, Retinopathy, etc. and has a direct association with the positive factors such as HDL and nitric oxide production. Experimental results are very significant and indicate that moderate consumption of alcohol has ameliorative effects on diabetics.

Empowering women abused by their problem drinker spouses: effects of a cognitive-behavioral intervention

Abstract: According to the National Survey of Addictions, in México nearly one in ten males (9.6%) inhabiting urban areas complies with the alcohol dependence criterion established in the DSM-IV Problem drinking men frequently drive their spouses to develop severe personality disorders and tolerate extremely degrading situations. Diverse interventions have been used to treat these problems. These include group counseling, and improving self-esteem. Family therapy has also been used to assess the extent to which these women actually influence their problem-drinking partner. Family education may promote self-sufficiency and assertiveness. Other results suggest that group training reduces the abused spouse's psychiatric symptoms. Rational-Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) operates on cognitive biases related to personal interaction and assertiveness. This includes effectively expressing desires, beliefs, needs, and opinions. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of an intervention designed to promote self-esteem, coping strategies and assertiveness in abused spouses of problem drinkers. Method A non-probabilistic random sampling procedure was used to select 35 women from two community centers. One produced 18 participants, and the other 17. All were spouses of problem drinkers, between 25 and 50 years of age and their schooling fluctuated from complete elementary school to college education and their socioeconomic level fluctuated from low to middle. A scheme similar to a multiple baseline design across two groups as well as an accidental control group, was used to evaluate the pertinent comparisons. Instruments used to collect data included the Assertion Inventory validated for Mexico by Guerra, the Coopersmith's Self-esteem Inventory, validated by Lara-Cantú, Verduzco, Acevedo and Cortés, The Coping Inventory and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The Wilcoxon statistical test was run on the data in order to establish the probability associated to the differences between pretest and post-test, follow-up 1, follow-up 2 and follow-up 3. Results revealed significant improving differences on assertiveness, coping responses and self-esteem.

Resumen: Según la Encuesta Nacional de Adicciones, uno de cada diez varones (9.6%) que habitan en zonas urbanas cumplen el criterio de dependencia al alcohol del DSM-IV. Este consumo crea intensos problemas familiares, incluidos trastornos de la personalidad en las esposas, las lleva a tolerar situaciones extremas y abate su desarrollo personal. El presente estudio usó algunas técnicas como las de Loughead, Kelly y Bartlett en consejo psicológico (counseling) en grupo. También se ha señalado que al inicio de este tipo de tratamientos se requiere fortalecer la autoestima, antes de tratar los problemas familiares. La terapia familiar ha evaluado si estas mujeres influyen sobre sus parejas. Otras terapias buscan generar autosuficiencia y asertividad. Asimismo, hay hallazgos que señalan que el entrenamiento en grupo disminuye los síntomas psiquiátricos en parejas de bebedores problema. Así, es necesario generar en la pareja del bebedor cambios cognitivos y conductuales, entre otros. El presente estudio evaluó una intervención cognitivo-conductual sobre asertividad, autoestima y afrontamiento para habilitar a la pareja del bebedor. Algunos abordajes se basan en la reducción de cogniciones irracionales y su efecto en emociones negativas y sus conductas desadaptativas. La asertividad incluye la habilidad de expresar deseos, creencias, necesidades y opiniones Así, el propósito del presente estudio fue examinar los efectos de una intervención cognitivo-conductual en la autoestima, afrontamiento y asertividad en cónyu ges de bebedores problema. Método Se emplearon un diseño similar al de línea base múltiple y una condición control accidental. Se comparó la preevaluación con la postevaluación y seguimientos a tres, seis y 18 meses. Se usaron los siguientes instrumentos: Inventario de Asertividad de Gambrill y Richey, en versión validada por Guerra, el Inventario de Autoestima de Coopersmith, validado por Lara-Cantú, Verduzco, Acevedo y Cortés; el Inventario de Afrontamiento, descrito por Orford, Natera, Davis, Nava, Mora, Rigby, Bradbury, Bowie, Copello y Velleman, y la entrevista Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 5.00, descrita por Ferrando, Bobes-García, Gilbert-Rahola y Lecrubier. Se captaron 35 parejas de bebedores problema de dos centros, uno comunitario del sur de la Ciudad de México, y otro del Centro de Ayuda al Alcohólico y sus Familiares: 18 en uno y 17 en el otro. Sus edades oscilaron entre los 25 y 50 años, y su escolaridad de primaria terminada a profesional, con un nivel socioeconómico de bajo a medio. Tres sufrían depresión mayor y tres abusaban del alcohol (canalizadas a otros programas); tres dejaron el estudio por razones laborales y ocho se dieron de baja voluntaria, con lo que permanecieron 18 participantes. A los datos se les aplicó la prueba de Wilcoxon en las diferencias entre preevaluación, postevaluación y los seguimientos 1, 2 y 3. Los resultados revelaron mejorías clínica y estadísticamente significativas en asertividad, afrontamiento y autoestima.

Altered biochemistry substances, hematocrit and white blood cell count in cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers.

The level of glucose, uric acid, cholesterol triglycerides and transminase (SGOT and SGPT) and also hematological data of hematocrit and white cell count of 1,542 workers age ranging from 35-53 years who came for physical check up during B.E. 2532 – 2534 were analysed for the groups of smokers, drinkers and smokers together with drinkers. All the three groups have significantly high level of biochemistry substances, hematocrit and white cell count than normal group (p < 0.005) except HDL-Cholesterol which is significantly lower than the normal group (p < 0.005). However, the white cell count of habitual drinkers and cholesterol level in smokers together with drinkers have no significantly different from the normal. We categorie the number of cigarette smoked by both questionnaires and the thiocyanate levels, and found the serum thiocyanate levels correlates with the number of cigarette smoked (p < 0.001).

Comparación de hábitos de vida en pacientes abstemios y bebedores / Comparation between the life habits abstemious and drinkers patients

Comparamos los hábitos de vida de 358 varones abstemios (ABS) y 248 varones de consumo riesgoso o dañino del alcohol (BRD), seleccionados entre los pacientes que acuden a una unidad de medicina familiar del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) y un Hospital General de la Secretaría de Salubridad y Asistencia (SSA). Encontramos que los BRD se distinguen de los ABS por llevar una vida sedentaria, consumir tabaco, usar con más frecuencia otras drogas, mala alimentación, estar en sobrepeso y tener una condición física deficiente. En resumen, la diferencia entre ABS y BRD no se reduce exclusivamente al consumo de alcohol y problemas relacionados, sino que se trata de dos grupos de individuos con estilos de vida distintos. En el presente artículo se analizan los primeros resultados mexicanos de una investigación multinacional coordinada por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS).

The life habits of 358 males abstemious (ABS) and 248 male risky or with harmful alcohol consumption (BRD) are compared; selected from the patients attending to a clinic offamiliar medicine, of the lnstitutoMexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) and to General Hospital of the Secretaria de Salubridad y Asistencia (SSA). BRD are different from ABS because of a sedentary life, tobbaco consumption, higer frecuency of other drug use, poor nutrition, over weigted and poor physical condition. The difference between ass and BRD is not only due to the alcohol consumption and related problems, but two groups of individuals with different ways of life. The present paper shows the first Mexican results of an International Multicentric Investi­gation coordinated by World Health Organization (WHO).