Predictors of relapse in 300 Brazilian alcoholic patients: A 6-month follow-up study

Three hundred alcoholic patients were interviewed at hospitalization and again 3 and 6 months thereafter in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from March 2002 to January 2004. Assessment included the SCID-I to check for the presence of Axis I mental disorders, a questionnaire focusing on patient relationship with AA groups, and specific questions about participation in psychotherapy. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictive variables for relapse or abstinence 6 months after discharge. Previous treatment for alcohol dependence (OR = 3.65; CI: 1.77-7.05) and being single (OR = 2.39; CI: 1.06-5.42) proved to be associated with relapse, whereas adherence to AA (OR = 0.31; CI: 0.15-0.66), presence of a comorbid depressive disorder (OR = 0.46; CI: 0.23-0.92), and probably adherence to psychotherapy (OR = 0.52; CI: 0.26-1.04) could be associated with abstinence. These findings reinforce the importance of psychotherapy and AA groups for alcoholics to remain abstinent for longer. the greater adherence to treatment observed among depressive alcohol dependents can be explained by the fact that this is a comorbid condition that acts as a protective factor against relapse.Fdn Fac Fed Ciencias Med Porto Alegre, Dept Psychiat & Forens Med, BR-90050170 Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilFdn Fac Fed Ciencias Med Porto Alegre, Div Basic & Clin Pharmacol, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilFdn Fac Fed Ciencias Med Porto Alegre, Dept Prevent Med, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilUniv Fed Rio de Janeiro, Dept Psychiat, BR-21941 Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychiat, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc