Esmeralda Thoma, Zihni Sulaj, Sonila Bitri, Elvira Cela and Enkelejda Shkurti
University of Medicine of Tirana, Albania
Mother Teresa University Hospital, Albania
American Hospital, Albania
Shefqet Ndroqi Lung Hospital, Albania
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Neurol Neurophysiol
Introduction: Alcohol abuse used to be a common phenomenon mainly among male in Albania. Women usually can be classified as social drinkers. Aim: The aim of this study is to highlight common co-morbidity of alcohol abuse in Albania. Materials & Methods: This is a retrospective study that was conducted at the Clinic of Toxicology and Addictology at Mother Teresa University Hospital during January 2012-june 2013. In this study, 330 patients were included. The diagnosis of alcoholism was based on lab exams and anamnesis. Results: Out of 330 patients 98% were male. 174 of these patients had at least one other diagnosis except alcoholism, from which 107 had dual diagnosis. We have observed statistically significant positive correlation between the time and the amount of alcohol abuse and the number of comorbid diagnosis, respectively (rho=0.2 95% CI 0.05-0.26 p<0.01 and rho=0.2 95% CI 0.079-0.382 p<0.01). In 58.2% of patients with comorbidity, alcohol abuse was considered the main factor responsible for the comorbid diagnosis i.e., alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic pancreatitis, alcoholic liver cirrhosis, psychiatric diseases, except schizophrenia and post traumatic disorder. Sixty-six patients had a dual diagnosis, alcohol abuse and psychiatric disorder. From these, the most prevalent was anxiety disorder in 45.5% of patients. Forty-five patients had alcoholic hepatitis, 40.4% of patients had Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and equally 40.4% had polyneuropathy. Conclusions: As it is known that long term alcohol abuse virtually causes different organ injury, it is important that all alcohol abuse patients must be carefully evaluated for co-morbidity.
Esmeralda Thoma is a Clinical Toxicologist and Addictologist. He has completed his Doctoral studies in 2015 and Specialization in 2010 from University of Medicine of Tirana. He is a Professor at the Faculty of Technical Medical Studies/University of Medicine in Tirana since 2005 and has published several articles in journals and has participated in several conferences.
Email: esmeraldahoxha@yahoo.com
