Patrones de consumo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios de Ciencias de la Salud / Alcohol consumption patterns of university students of health sciences

Objetivo: Describir los patrones de consumo de alcohol y de episodios de consumo intensivo (ECI) en una muestra de estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud, así como identificar factores asociados. Método: Estudio descriptivo que mediante cuestionario autoadministrado recoge variables sociodemográficas y el diario consumo de alcohol, registrando el número de unidades de bebida estándar consumidas en varios momentos del día. Resultados: Participaron 286 estudiantes (66,1% mujeres) pertenecientes a la Universidad de Cádiz (193 Medicina y 93 Enfermería), con una edad media de 21,1 años (DE 2,8). El 44,8% vive en domicilio familiar. El 65,7% consumió alcohol en la última semana, siendo más frecuente en varones. El patrón de consumo semanal fue del 74,5% para consumo de riesgo bajo, 21% riesgo moderado y 4,5% riesgo elevado. Un 33,9% tuvo entre 1-2 ECI en la última semana, apareciendo estos independientemente del patrón de consumo semanal. De los alumnos que residen fuera del domicilio familiar, un 26,6% tuvieron un consumo de riesgo moderado, un 8,2% riesgo elevado y un 41,8% ECI. Se evidencian asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre el consumo semanal de alcohol y las variables sexo, domicilio habitual y ECI. Conclusiones: Más de la mitad de los estudiantes consumió alcohol en la última semana, con un consumo mayoritariamente de fin de semana, destacando la alta prevalencia de ECI. Se propone incidir en la detección precoz y campañas en estos grupos

Aim: To describe the alcohol drinking patterns and binge drinking episodes (BDE) in a sample of Health Science students, as well as identify associated factors. Method: It is a descriptive study, in which sociodemographic variables and a weekly alcohol consumption diary recording the number of standard drinking units consumed at different times of the day are collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Results: 286 students (66.1% women) from Cadiz University (193 Medical students and 93 Nursing students), with a mean age of 21.1 (SD 2.8) years, took part in this study. Forty-four point 8 percent of the students live with their families. Sixty-five point 7 percent of the students drank alcohol in the previous week, this was more usual in the males. The weekly alcohol consumption pattern was 74.5% for low-risk alcohol consumption, 21% for moderate-risk and 4.5% for a high-risk consumption. Thirty-three point 9 percent had 1-2 BDE over the previous week apart from their weekly consumption pattern. Twenty-six point 6 percent of the students who were emancipated had moderate-risk consumption, 8.2% had a high-risk consumption and 41.8% had a binge drinking episode. There were statistically significant associations between the weekly consumption pattern regarding sex, habitual residence and BDE variables. Conclusions: More than half the students had taken alcohol the previous week, mainly at weekends. The high prevalence of BDE is highlighted. We propose enhancing early detection and prevention campaigns in this population

Genetic Epidemiology of Liability for Alcohol-Induced Blacking and Passing Out.

BACKGROUND: Individuals differ in their sensitivity to alcohol's physiological effects, including blacking and passing out. Blackouts are periods of impaired memory formation when an individual engages in activities they later cannot recall, while passing out results in loss of consciousness. METHODS: The sample consisted of 3,292 adult twins from the Australian Twin Registry. Univariate twin analyses were conducted to examine the contributions of genetic and environmental influences to blacking and passing out occurrence and susceptibility (accounting for frequency of intoxication). Evidence for shared etiology of susceptibility to blacking and passing out was examined using bivariate twin analyses. RESULTS: Although blacking and passing out were strongly associated (odds ratio (OR) = 4.45, 95% confidence interval (CI): [3.85, 5.14]), the genetic epidemiology was quite different. Genetic (43%) and nonshared environmental (57%) influences contributed to liability for blackout occurrence. For passing out occurrence, there was evidence of sex differences. Among men, genetic (32%) and nonshared environmental (68%) influences contributed, whereas among women, there were shared (29%) and nonshared environmental (72%) influences. After accounting for frequency of intoxication, genetic influences on blackout susceptibility remained significant; in contrast, only nonshared environmental influences were significant for passing out susceptibility. There was evidence for overlapping genetic and nonshared environmental factors influencing susceptibility to blacking and passing out among men; among women, there were overlapping nonshared environmental influences. CONCLUSIONS: Blacking and passing out are 2 common sedative-like effects of heavy drinking, and people differ considerably in their susceptibility to these effects. This study suggests that differences in blackout susceptibility can be explained by genetic factors in both men and women, while differences in susceptibility to pass out after consuming alcohol may be attributable to environmental influences, particularly among women. These environmental factors may include changing social and cultural norms about alcohol use, drinking context, and the type(s) of alcohol consumed.

[Taxation of traditional rums in French overseas territories and public health: The example of Reunion Island]. / Fiscalité des rhums traditionnels en outre-mer et santé publique : l'exemple de l'île de La Réunion.

BACKGROUND: France has a complex system for the taxation of alcoholic beverages. In the French overseas territories (FOT), the system includes little-known specificities whose purpose is to preserve the sugar-cane-rum sector, a pillar for the weak economies in these territories. Taxes are reduced for traditional rums produced and sold locally. This favors the marketing of alcoholic spirits at low prices. In metropolitan France, on the contrary, spirits are heavily taxed drinks and their share in consumption is minor. Reunion Island (RI) is a FOT confronted with significant socioeconomic precariousness and with one of the highest national morbidity and mortality rates associated with alcohol abuse. Spirits account for half of the total consumption of pure alcohol, with a strong predominance for local traditional rums. These products are preferentially consumed by vulnerable subjects, often affected by an alcohol-use disorder. METHODS: This study consists of three parts. First, a comparative analysis of alcoholic beverage prices between RI and mainland France. Second, an analysis of the bibliography on the consequences of preferential consumption of spirits. Third, a literature review on the impact of taxation on alcohol-related morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: In France, the cheapest gram of pure alcohol is found in the FOT. The preferential consumption of spirits is associated with more frequent and more rapid complications. It is correlated with the level of alcoholic psychoses. Taxation is effective in reducing damage caused by the abuse of alcoholic beverages. The World Health Organization recommends the application of a minimum price for alcohol and tax increases. CONCLUSION: The reduced taxation of the traditional rums of the FOT does not take into account public health data. Its purpose is economic. In RI, it contributes to a high level of consumption of spirits and encourages excess mortality through alcohol abuse. It constitutes an inequality of health for these populations. Changes in this tax system is desirable in order to reduce the harm caused by alcohol. It should be closer to the tax system in force in metropolitan France. Alcohol lobbies and lack of political courage have so far inhibited this change to the detriment of the health of the populations.

Alcohol-induced blackouts and maternal family history of problematic alcohol use.

BACKGROUND: Consequences of heavy drinking include alcohol-induced blackouts, which are periods of amnesia for all or part of a drinking event. One risk factor for blackouts is family history of problematic alcohol use (FH+); however, research rarely distinguishes maternal from paternal FH+. The objective of this study was to examine whether maternal or paternal FH+ better predicts likelihood of experiencing blackouts than a general measure of overall FH+, and whether gender moderates this association. METHOD: Participants (N=1164; 65.4% are female) were first-time college freshmen (age range=17-19) who participated in a 6-year, 10-assessment, longitudinal study in the United States. Alcohol-induced blackouts, the dependent measure, were dichotomized (yes/no) based on endorsement of memory problems after drinking using a single item during Years 4-6. FH+, captured at baseline, was coded if participants self-reported that their mother, father, or any of their four grandparents were a possible or definite problem drinker. RESULTS: Overall, 773 (66.4%) participants reported experiencing blackouts during Years 4-6. Women were more likely to report blackouts than men; however, compared with women with a maternal FH+, men with a maternal FH+ were more than twice as likely to report blackouts. DISCUSSION: Men appear to be more susceptible than women to the effects of a maternal FH+. Genetic and environmental explanations for this finding are discussed. In sum, these findings are an important step toward understanding a significant yet understudied negative consequence of heavy alcohol use.

Diagnostic challenges in alcohol use disorder and alcoholic liver disease.

Alcohol use disorders represent a heterogeneous spectrum of clinical manifestations that have been defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5. Excessive alcohol intake can lead to damage of various organs, including the liver. Alcoholic liver disease includes different injuries ranging from steatosis to cirrhosis and implicates a diagnostic assessment of the liver disease and of its possible complications. There is growing interest in the possible different tools for assessing previous alcohol consumption and for establishing the severity of liver injury, especially by non-invasive methods.

Adolescence and Alcohol: a review of the literature.

Up to two thirds of adolescents consume alcohol and about a quarter engage in abusive behavior at some point. Many users begin alcohol use at young ages, and binge drinking is a dominant pattern for a proportion of youth. Because neurogenesis is inhibited by ethanol, consequences of adolescent alcohol abuse include changes in brain development and impairment of neurocognitive performance. A variety of mental and psychosocial problems are also often witnessed in alcohol abusing youth. Apart from the influence exerted by genetic and psychosocial factors, the chance of developing problematic alcohol consumption is increased by consumption in a binge drinking manner and by first contact with alcohol at a young age. Discrimination of alcohol consumption within the frames of normal adolescent behavior from problematic use is still a challenging issue. Different prevention programs provide treatment either directly to the adolescent, in the context of the school, or within the frame of the adolescent's family. Although some of these efforts have been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol misuse in youth, hardly any intervention reveals satisfactory outcomes in a long-term prospect. Successful prevention strategies would need to comprise treatment of current neuropsychological impairment as well as of comorbid mental health problems and concurrent other substance misuse.

Adolescent brain development and underage drinking in the United States: identifying risks of alcohol use in college populations.

Alcohol use typically is initiated during adolescence, a period that coincides with critical structural and functional maturation of the brain. Brain maturation and associated improvements in decision making continue into the third decade of life, reaching a plateau within the period referred to as emerging adulthood (18-24 years). This particular period covers that of traditionally aged college students, and includes the age (21 years) when alcohol consumption becomes legal in the United States. This review highlights neurobiological evidence indicating the vulnerabilities of the emerging-adult brain to the effects of alcohol. Factors increasing the risks associated with underage alcohol use include the age group's reduced sensitivity to alcohol sedation and increased sensitivity to alcohol-related disruptions in memory. On the individual level, factors increasing those risks are a positive family history of alcoholism, which has a demonstrated effect on brain structure and function, and emerging comorbid psychiatric conditions. These vulnerabilities-of the age group, in general, as well as of particular individuals-likely contribute to excessive and unsupervised drinking in college students. Discouraging alcohol consumption until neurobiological adulthood is reached is important for minimizing alcohol-related disruptions in brain development and decision-making capacity, and for reducing the negative behavioral consequences associated with underage alcohol use.

Consumo episódico excesivo de alcohol en adolescentes: su asociación con los estados de ánimo negativos y los factores familiares / Heavy episodic drinking among adolescents: the association with negative mood states and family factors

Fundamentos: El consumo episódico excesivo de alcohol (CEEA) es una práctica extendida en la población adolescente con graves riesgos para la salud, incluyendo el abuso/dependencia en la edad adulta. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar su asociación con los estados de ánimo negativos y algunas variables familiares entre los adolescentes catalanes. Métodos: Estudio transversal de una muestra representativa de adolescentes (edad 14-18 años) de Cataluña (Segunda oleada del Panel de Familias e Infancia) (2006-2010). Se realizan modelos de regresión logística para mujeres (n = 1.459) y hombres (n= 1.105) para estimar si los estados de ánimo negativos auto-percibidos (tristeza, presión parental, etc.) están asociados con el CEEA, capturado como haberse emborrachado por lo menos dos veces al mes durante el último año. Se estima en qué medida esos efectos son atribuibles a algunos factores familiares. Resultados: El sentimiento crónico de tristeza está asociado con el CEEAentre los varones (OR 2,7), al igual que sentirse presionado/a por los progenitores en ambos sexos (OR 1,8 hombres y OR 2,1 mujeres). Las mujeres de rentas medio-bajas y altas son más proclives al CEEA (OR 1,6 y OR 1,7 respectivamente). La existencia de progenitores de origen inmigrante (OR 0,4) y la fijación parental de un horario de retorno a casa los fines de semana (OR 0,6) presentan una asociación negativa con el CEEA entre las mujeres. Conclusiones: Los estados de ánimo negativos (EAN) están asociados al CEEA. Los efectos de los factores socio-económicos y familiares sobre el CEEA son más relevantes en mujeres que en varones(AU)

Background: Heavy episodic drinking is widespread among adolescents, with serious health risks, including abuse / dependence in adulthood. The aimof this paper is to analyze the influence of negativemood states and some family variables on this type of drinking behavior among Catalan adolescents. Methods: Cross sectional study of a representative sample of adolescents (age 14-18 years) fromCatalonia (SecondWave, Panel of Families and Children) (2006-2010). Separate logistic regression models are run for women (n = 1,459) and men (n = 1,105) to assess whether negative mood states (self-perceived) are associated with heavy episodic drinking measured as binge drinking at least twice a month or more in the last year. It is estimated to what extent these effects are attributable to familial factors. Results: Feelings of sadness are associated with binge drinking among male adolescents (OR 2.7). Feeling pressured by parents keeps also a positive association with binge drinking among both sexes (OR 1.8 for males and OR 2.1 for women). Women from low-middle and high income groups are more likely to engage in binge drinking (OR 1.6 and OR, 1.7 respectively). Migrant family background (OR 0.4) and parental control of arrival home on weekend (OR 0.6) are negatively related to binge drinking among female adolescents. Conclusions: Negative mood states are associated with heavy episodic drinking. Socio-economic and family factors have stronger effect on women than on men(AU)

Mortalidad prematura y años potenciales de vida perdidos relacionados con el consumo de alcohol en España y en las comunidades autónomas en el año 2004 / Premature death and potential years of life lost due to alcohol consumption in Spain and the different autonomous communities in 2004

ObjetivoAnalizar la mortalidad prematura relacionada con el consumo de alcohol 2004 en España y en las diferentes comunidades autónomas (CC.AA.) españolas.DiseñoSe partió de los datos de las muertes atribuibles al consumo de alcohol en 2004 para España y las distintas CC.AA.; a partir de éstos se calcularon los años potenciales de vida perdidos (APVP) hasta los 70 años para cada categoría diagnóstica, sexo y grupos quinquenales de edad.EmplazamientoEspaña: 17 CC.AA., Ceuta y Melilla.ParticipantesDatos de defunciones según causa de muerte, desagregados por sexo y edad para cada una de las 17 CC.AA., Ceuta y Melilla.Mediciones principalesLos APVP, el porcentaje sobre el total de APVP y la media de APVP por muerte atribuible al consumo de alcohol.ResultadosDurante 2004 se perdieron 118.411 APVP, 4 veces más en varones, y la media por cada muerte atribuible al consumo de alcohol fue de 22,6 años (34,7 años en Ceuta y 20,2 años en Asturias). Las causas agudas (el 68,0% de los APVP) y en particular los accidentes no intencionales (el 47,9% de los APVP) son los que más contribuyen a la mortalidad prematura relacionada con el consumo de alcohol en España y las distintas CC.AA.ConclusionesLa estimación de los APVP pone de manifiesto el elevado impacto del consumo de alcohol en la mortalidad prematura en las CC.AA. españolas. El consumo de alcohol es una causa evitable de mortalidad y deberían adoptarse medidas de prevención para reducir la exposición al consumo, así como para detectar y tratar precozmente los posibles problemas relacionados con el consumo de alcohol(AU)

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to analyse premature deaths due to alcohol consumption in 2004 in Spain and its different Autonomous Communities.DesignUsing data on deaths that can be attributed to alcohol consumption in 2004 for Spain and its different Autonomous Communities, the Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) were calculated up to the age of 70 for each diagnostic category, by sex and 5-year age groups.SettingSpain: 17 Autonomous Communities, Ceuta and Melilla.ParticipantsData on deaths that can be attributed to alcohol consumption in 2004 for Spain and its different Autonomous Communities.MeasurementsThe number of PYLL, the percentage of PYLL, and average PYLL.ResultsDuring 2004, 118,411 PYLL were lost, 4 times higher in males than in females, the average PYLL per death being attributable to alcohol was 22.6 years (ranging from 34.7 in Ceuta and 20.2 in Asturias). Acute causes (68% of the PYLL), and in particular unintentional accidents (47.9 of the PYLL), were the main causes that contributed to premature death related to alcohol consumption in Spain and in each of Spanish Autonomous Communities.ConclusionsThe estimation of the PYLL shows the great impact that alcohol consumption has on the premature death rate in Spain ant the Spanish Autonomous Communities. Given that alcohol consumption is an avoidable cause of death, the adoption of preventive measures aimed at reducing consumption, as well as the early detection and treatment of possible alcohol related problems is vital(AU)

gamma-Glutamyltranspeptidase and incident stroke among Japanese men and women: the Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) levels have been associated with cardiovascular disease incidence, few studies have taken into account the effect of alcohol intake on GGT levels. In this study, we examined the relationship between GGT and stroke incidence according to drinking status. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of Japanese women (N=6281) and men (N=3471) aged 40 to 69 years living in communities under systematic surveillance for stroke incidence. RESULTS: During the 18-year follow-up, 202 (3.2%) women and 230 (6.6%) men had strokes. Serum GGT levels were positively associated with risk of total stroke for women but not men. The multivariable hazard ratios of total stroke for the highest quartile of GGT compared with the lowest quartile were 1.56 (95% CI, 1.01 to 2.39) for women and 1.37 (95% CI, 0.89 to 2.11) for men. Moreover, GGT was associated with total and ischemic stroke risks for never-drinking women. CONCLUSIONS: Serum GGT is associated with risk of total and ischemic strokes for Japanese women, especially never-drinkers.

Refractory status epilepticus: a developing country perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the underlying causes, therapeutic response and outcomes of convulsive refractory status epilepticus (RSE). METHODOLOGY: This retrospective analysis was carried on 98 patients with RSE (age: 16.9+/-14.5 years). All had received a combination of parenteral benzodiazepine and phenytoin or phenobarbitone followed by other anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). The clinical, EEG, imaging features of convulsive RSE and long-term seizure outcome were analysed. RESULTS: Seventy six patients had de novo RSE for the first time in life. The mean duration of RSE, before and during NICU admission was 3.4+/-3.2 days and 2.9+/-2.4 days respectively. The mean duration of NICU stay and mechanical ventilation was 17.4+/-14.5 was 14.4+/-12.8 days respectively. The precipitating factors included viral fever - 13, AEDs stoppage - 7 and alcohol - 1. EEG was abnormal in 81.5% of patients. CT and MRI were abnormal in 63.4% and 82.3% respectively. Thirty-four patients died and compared to those surviving, patients were older, had lesser duration of NICU stay and elevated CSF protein. Dependence for activities of daily living (ADL) at discharge was: recovered - 29, mild to moderate - 13 and severe - 22. Seizure outcome in 64 patients after 43.5+/-58.2 weeks were - seizure-free: 65.6%, one seizure: 21.8%, >1 seizure/month: 14.1%, and seizure recurrence requiring admission: 1.5%. After six and twelve months of follow up, the long-term seizure outcome were: seizure-free: 48.3% and 28.6%; one seizure: 27.6% and 38.1%; >1 seizure/month: 20.7% and 28.6%; and seizure recurrence requiring admission: 3.4% and 4.7% respectively. Among those survived 49 de novo RSE, about one-third developed post-SE symptomatic seizures after 30.1+/-54.4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Seizures could still be controlled in two-thirds of patients with convulsive RSE. About 30% of patients achieved long-term seizure freedom.

Alcohol, vino y salud: mitos y realidades / Alcohol, wine, and health: myths and realitie

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Lack of recognition and complexity of foetal alcohol neuroimpairments.

AIMS: To obtain the recorded prevalence of foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in Norway, and evaluate the effect of a general information program to increase the recognition of FAS/FASD for health care and social workers. METHODS: A questionnaire regarding prevalence of FAS/FASD was sent to all Norwegian paediatric and child psychiatry departments. In the region Hordaland county, an information program was carried out to educate health-care and social workers on symptoms and signs of FAS/FASD, and referral was encouraged for suspected cases. Referred children received a neuropaediatric evaluation, and the effect of the information program on recorded FAS/FASD was recorded. RESULTS: Based on the national survey, a prevalence of 0.3 per 1000 was calculated. After the information program, the estimated prevalence in Hordaland County increased to 1.5 per 1000. In 5 years, 25 children were diagnosed with FAS and 22 with FASD. One-third of all children were mentally retarded. Microcephaly and neuroimpairments were more common among FAS children. Almost all children met the criteria of ADHD. CONCLUSION: The rate of FAS/FASD may be greatly underestimated because of lack of knowledge. An information program aimed at health-care and social workers is effective.

An inverse relationship between typical alcohol consumption and facial symmetry detection ability in young women.

The relationship between monthly alcohol consumption over the past 6 months and facial symmetry perception ability was examined in young sober women with typical college-age drinking patterns. Facial symmetry detection performance was inversely related to typical monthly alcohol consumption, r (41) = -0.57, p < 0.001. Other variables that were predictive of facial symmetry detection included alcohol-related hangover and blackout frequency over the past 6 months, number of alcoholic drinks over the past week, early adolescent alcohol consumption and frequency of drug use. The relationship between alcohol use and symmetry detection could not be explained by individual differences in personality, family alcoholism history or other drug use. These findings suggest the possibility of a neurotoxic effect of alcohol on facial symmetry perception ability in female undergraduate students. As similar results did not emerge for a test of dot symmetry detection, the findings appear specific to facial symmetry. No previous studies have examined the effect of alcohol history on symmetry detection. The findings add to a growing literature indicating negative visuospatial effects of early alcohol use, and suggest the importance of further research examining alcohol and drug effects on sober facial perception in non-alcoholic populations.

Frequency and clinicopathological characteristics of alcoholic cerebellar degeneration in Japan: a cross-sectional study of 1,509 postmortems.

Alcoholic cerebellar degeneration (ACD) is a pivotal neurological complication in alcoholics. However, although there are a few autopsy reports and some data on its frequency, it is considered very rare in Japan. The aims of this study were (1) to estimate the frequency of the disease in Japanese autopsy cases, and (2) to examine the clinicopathological features of symptomatic and asymptomatic cases of ACD. We reviewed the records of 1,509 Japanese autopsies obtained from three autopsy series in Japan, and selected all 55 cases (3.6%) with alcoholism. On neuropathological reexamination, ACD was confirmed in six male alcoholics [0.4% of all subjects; 10.9% of all alcoholics; mean age at death 59.3+/-13.4 years (+/- SD)], including three asymptomatic cases. These frequencies were much lower than some previous Western findings, but more common than that has been expected in Japan. The frequencies of memory impairment and ataxia in ACD cases were significantly higher than those in alcoholics without any alcohol-related pathologies. In ACD cases, loss of Purkinje cells, narrowing of the width of the molecular layer, and tissue rarefaction in the granular layer were observed in the anterior and superior portions of the vermis of the cerebellum. In adjacent regions, the Purkinje cell and molecular layers were more mildly affected. The distribution of severely affected regions was more restricted in the asymptomatic cases than in the symptomatic cases. This study confirmed the frequency of asymptomatic cerebellar degeneration in alcoholics, suggesting that early intervention in alcoholism in the subclinical phase is important to prevent the development of cerebellar symptoms.

Alcohol consumption and cognitive function in late life: a longitudinal community study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between alcohol use and cognitive decline in a longitudinal study of a representative elderly community sample free of dementia at baseline. METHODS: Cognitive functions and self-reported drinking habits were assessed at 2-year intervals over an average of 7 years of follow-up. Cognitive measures, grouped into composites, were examined in association with alcohol consumption. Trajectory analyses identified latent homogeneous groups with respect to alcohol use frequency over time, and their association with average decline over the same period in each cognitive domain. Models controlled for age, sex, education, depression, smoking, general mental status (Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]), performance on the given test at baseline, and subsequent new-onset dementia during follow-up. RESULTS: The authors found three homogeneous trajectories that they characterized as no drinking, minimal drinking, and moderate drinking. Few heavy drinkers were identified in this elderly cohort. Compared to no drinking, both minimal and moderate drinking were associated with lesser decline on the MMSE and Trailmaking tests. Minimal drinking was also associated with lesser decline on tests of learning and naming. These associations were more pronounced when comparing current drinkers to former drinkers (quitters) than to lifelong abstainers. CONCLUSION: In a representative elderly cohort over an average of 7 years, a pattern of mild-to-moderate drinking, compared to not drinking, was associated with lesser average decline in cognitive domains over the same period.

Intoxicación alcohólica aguda / Acute alcohol intoxication

La Intoxicación Etílica Aguda (IEA) es el trastorno orgánico más común inducido por alcohol y la intoxicación aguda más frecuente en nuestro medio. Afecta al 1,1% de la población, sobre todo varones entre 19-28 años. La dosis letal 50 es 5 gr./l con ingesta aproximada de alcohol de 3 gr/ Kg. peso. La mortalidad por coma etílico es del 5%. En la IEA el riesgo de sufrir TCE y Hematoma Subdural es más del doble y está aumentado el de convulsiones, intentos autolíticos e intoxicaciones combinadas. La Resaca es más prevalente en bebedores de consumo bajo y moderado de Alcohol. En la IEA se producen efectos reforzadores positivos y negativos. Se potencian los efectos sedativos favoreciendo la neurotransmisión inhibitoria más que la excitatoria, sobre todo por activación de receptores GABAA. La vulnerabilidad es mayor en el sexo femenino y menor en alcohólicos, que constituye un marcador dinámico predictor de mayor riesgo de alcoholismo, hijos de padres alcohólicos y varones con personalidad antisocial y abuso o dependencia de sustancias. Además, la ADH y ALDH difieren genéticamente según la raza. Todas las embriagueces son patológicas. En las Embriagueces Típicas los efectos psicopatológicos son inversamente proporcionales a la tolerancia y directamente a la concentración sanguínea de Etanol. Las Atípicas presentan dosis-respuesta desproporcionada (AU)

Acute Ethanol Intoxication (AEI) is the most common organic disorder induced by alcohol and the most acute frequent intoxication in our medium. It affects 1.1% of the population, particularly males between the age of 19-28 years. The LD50 dose is 5gr./l with approximate ingestion of alcohol of 3 gr/ Kg. weight. The ethanol coma mortality rate is 5%. In AEI, the risk of suffering CET and Subdural Hematoma is more than double and this increases the risk of convulsions, suicide attempts and combined intoxications. A hangover is more prevalent in low and moderate alcohol consumers. In AEI, positive and negative reinforcing effects are produced. The sedative effects are increased, favouring inhibitory rather than excitatory neurotransmission, most of all from activation of the GABAA receptors. Vulnerability is higher in the female sex and lower in alcoholics which constitutes a dynamic marker predictor of a greater risk of alcoholism in children of alcoholic parents and males with antisocial personalities and substance abuse or dependency. In addition, the ADH and ALDH differ genetically according to race. All inebriations are pathological. In typical inebriations, the psychopathological effects are inversely proportionate to tolerance and directly proportionate to the blood concentration of ethanol. Atypical ones present a disproportionate doseresponse (AU)

Attributable risk of common and rare determinants of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Smoking, hypertension, alcohol consumption, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and positive family history for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are well-known risk factors for SAH. For effective prevention, knowledge about the contribution of these risk factors to the overall occurrence of SAH in the general population is pivotal. We therefore investigated the population attributable risks of the risk factors for SAH. METHODS: We retrieved the relative risk and prevalence of established risk factors for SAH from the literature and calculated the population attributable risks of these risk factors. RESULTS: Drinking alcohol 100 to 299 g/wk accounted for 11% of the cases of SAH, drinking alcohol >/=300 g/wk accounted for 21%, and smoking accounted for 20%. An additional 17% of the cases could be attributed to hypertension, 11% to a positive family history for SAH, and 0.3% to ADPKD. CONCLUSIONS: Screening and preventive treatment of patients with familial preponderance of SAH alone will cause a modest reduction of the incidence of SAH in the general population. Further reduction can be achieved by reducing the prevalence of the modifiable risk factors alcohol consumption, smoking, and hypertension.

Alcohol-related brain damage--the concerns of the Mental Welfare Commission.

Scottish mental health legislation permits 'guardianship' for certain mentally impaired individuals, which imposes a requirement on place of residence, access and attendance at specified services for treatment and rehabilitation. The use of guardianship for alcohol-related brain damage increased steeply in the years 1993-1998. Possible explanations include: (1) increased prevalence or diagnosis of these conditions; (2) reduction of hospital beds; (3) a trend towards diminishing family and social support; (4) increased social work involvement in caring for such individuals; (5) increased consideration of the use of guardianship; (6) new private residential services; (7) lack of interest in the condition by existing services. There have been legal and clinical concerns about such individuals under guardianship relating to quality of ongoing clinical assessment, need for specific treatment and for the management of associated psychiatric illness, issues over control of drinking and control of personal finances, uncertainty over the use of restraint, and need for programmes helping the individual's progress towards independent living.