Abstract

Background: Persons with alcohol dependence frequently suffer from co-morbid psychiatric disorders and personality disorders which influence drinking, social and occupational functioning, management and relapse. Are personality disorders similar in persons with alcoholic Cirrhosis and alcohol dependence?

Objective: To study the personality profile of persons with alcohol induced cirrhosis and alcohol dependence syndrome.

Materials and Methods: It is cross sectional, hospital based and comparative study with serial sampling involving a total of 80 patients, 40 in alcohol dependence with cirrhosis group and 40 in alcohol dependence without cirrhosis group. Study instruments used are Alcohol Intake database which has sections on socio-economic data and illness related data. International Personality Disorder Examination to diagnose personality disorder.

Results: 32.5% of the total sample had a personality disorder with 30% in the Alcoholic Cirrhosis group and 35% in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome group.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate a high frequency of personality disorders in patients with alcohol dependence and there is no significant difference in personality disorders between the two groups. We suggest that psychiatric intervention is needed in many patients to improve their likelihood of remaining abstinent from alcohol and for a better quality of life.

Key words: Alcohol dependence, Cirrhosis, Personality disorder