The Pattern of Alcohol Use in Alcohol-Related Cirrhosis in Indian Patients: AUDIT Indian Liver Study

Alcohol is one of the most common causes of liver cirrhosis. Yet, the pattern of alcohol consumption in cirrhosis is rarely studied. This study aims to study the drinking patterns along with the educational, socioeconomic, and mental health in a cohort of patients with and without liver cirrhosis.

This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary-care hospital and included patients with harmful drinking. Demographic, alcohol intake history, assessment of socioeconomic and psychological status by modified Kuppuswamy scale and Beckwith Inventory, respectively, were recorded and analyzed.

Cirrhosis was present in 38.31% of patients with heavy drinking (64%). Cirrhosis was more among illiterates (51.76%) with early onset (22.4. ± 7.30 yrs P = 0.0001) and longer duration of alcohol (12.5 ± 6.5 vs. 6.8 ± 3.4 P = 0.001). Higher education qualification was associated with lower cirrhosis (P < 0.0001). With the same employment and education qualifications, net income in cirrhosis was lower [USD 298 (175-435) vs. USD 386 (119-739) P = 0.0001]. Whiskey (86.8%) was the commonest drink consumed. Similar median alcoholic drinks per week were consumed by both groups [34 (22-41) vs. 30 (24-40), P = 0.625], while indigenous alcohol was more consumed in cirrhosis [105 (98.5-109.75) vs. 89.5.0 (69.25-110.0) P = 0.0001]. Loss of jobs (12.36%) and partner violence were more in cirrhotic (9.89% vs. 5.80%) with similar borderline depression.

Alcohol use disorder-related cirrhosis is present in a quarter of patients with harmful early onset and longer duration of drinking and is inversely related to the education status and affects the socioeconomic, physical, and family health of patients.