Changes of drinking behavior in Korean pregnant women for the last 20 year.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate the drinking behavior of Korean pregnant women in 2017 and to compare the changes of drinking status with the results of the research conducted in 1997 and 2008. METHODS: Pregnant women at one obstetrics and gynecology hospital and one university hospital were the subjects of the study. They were filled out questionnaire. RESULTS: The rate of positive responses to CAGE increased 16.0% in 2008 and 16.3% in 2017 compared to 11.8% in 1997 (P = 0.046). Blackout history rate was keep increasing from 1997 to 2017 (8.8% versus 27.7% versus 36.3%, P < 0.001). The rate of family history of alcohol was nearly doubled in 2017 (30.3%) compared to 1997 (17.6%) and 2008 (16.3) (P < 0.001). The rate of pregnant women who drink alcohol during pregnancy decreased from 57.5% in 1997 to 39.5% in 2008 and decreased to 25.6% in 2017 (P < 0.001). The rate of pregnant women who drink alcohol after knowing the pregnancy was decreased in 2017 (6.9%) compared to 2008 (23.5%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the results of the study in 2017, the rate of pregnant women who drink alcohol after pregnancy was decreased compared to 1997 and 2008. However drinking behavior severity has increased in 2017.

Difference in Cognitive Function by First Onset Age of Alcohol Induced Blackout and Its Duration.

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol-induced blackout (blackout) is a typical early symptom of cognitive impairment caused by drinking. However, the first onset age of blackout or the duration after onset of blackout has not been directly compared in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in cognitive function to the first start age of blackouts and their duration. METHODS: Thirty-one male subjects were included in this study. Their age at the first blackout and the duration after the onset of blackout were investigated. Neuropsychological tests were conducted to determine their attention, memory, and executive function. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their age of the first onset blackout (group O1, < 20 years; group O2, 21-39 years; and group O3, > 40 years). Subjects were also divided into three groups by duration after the onset of blackout (P1, < 10 years; P2, 10-29 years; and P3, > 30 years). We then examined differences in neurocognitive function among these groups. RESULTS: O1 tended to have a lower memory score than O2 (F = 3.28, p = 0.053). Significant differences were observed in attention and executive function between groups P1 and P3 (Digit Span_backward: F = 6.07, p < 0.05; visual span_forward: F = 4.19, p < 0.05; executive intelligence quotient: F = 3.55, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Greater memory impairment was detected in subjects having an earlier age of the first blackout. The longer the duration after the onset of blackout, the more impaired their attention and executive function skills.