Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in men and women with alcohol dependence: Results from a cross-sectional study during behavioural treatment in a controlled Environment

Kai G. Kahl*, Wiebke Greggersen, Ulrich Schweiger, Joachim Cordes, Christoph U. Correll, Jessica Ristow, Juliane Burow, Corinna Findel, Anne Stoll, Chakrapani Balijepalli, Laura Göres, Christian Lösch, Thomas Hillemacher, Stefan Bleich, Susanne Moebus

*Corresponding author for this work
18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in men and women who use alcohol has been inconsistent in the literature.The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of MetS in patients with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence who are currently abstinent in a controlled environment, and in control subjects followed in primary care from a similar region in Northern Germany. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: In-patient cognitive behavioural therapy. Participants: One hundred and ninety-seven men and women with alcohol dependence during behavioural treatment in a controlled environment were compared to 1158 subjects from primary care from a similar region in northern Germany. Measurements: We used the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHBLI) criteria to determine the rate of MetS and each single criterion of MetS in both groups. Findings: The prevalence of MetS was almost twice as high in men and women with alcohol dependence compared to control subjects (30.6% versus 17.0%). With respect to the single criteria, elevationswere found for fasting glucose and blood pressure in both genders and for triglycerides in women only. High density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol was higher in men and women with alcohol dependence. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate an increased rate of MetS, increased blood pressure and dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in alcohol-dependent patients. Whether high HDL-cholesterol has cardioprotective effects in this context remain doubtful.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAddiction
Volume105
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)1921-1927
Number of pages7
ISSN0965-2140
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11.2010

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM)

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