Serum Lipid Profiles after Abstinence in Korean Male Patients With Alcohol Dependence

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The treatment of alcohol dependence requires maintaining abstinence. However, some previous studies have suggested that the abstinence may increase the cardiovascular risk in patients with alcohol dependence. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of alcohol abstinence on lipid profile in Korean male patients with alcohol dependence. METHODS: Twenty-eight male patients with alcohol dependence were recruited from a psychiatric unit located at Gangneung Dongin Hospital. Lipid profiles of the patients were compared before and after a month of alcohol abstinence. RESULTS: After abstinence of 1 month, high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride(TG) level was significantly decreased(p=0.000; p=0.0086, respectively). Low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol level showed a tendency to increase(p=0.066). Total cholesterol level also showed a tendency to decrease (p=0.074). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that acute abstinence of alcohol might paradoxically aggravate dyslipidemia in patients with alcohol dependence. Thus, this study shows that more concern associated with cardiovascular risk is needed during short-term abstinence period.