Assessment of cognitive functions in patients with alcohol dependence disorder and its implications for primary care:...

Alcohol dependence disorder (ADD) significantly impacts public health, society, and the economy. It is characterized by chronic alcohol use, withdrawal symptoms, and cognitive impairments, particularly involving frontal lobe dysfunction. The cognitive impairments, often underexplored, are particularly relevant in primary care settings, where early detection and intervention can greatly influence outcomes. This study investigates the cognitive effects of ADD using neurocognitive tests in inpatients at a government hospital in Central India, highlighting implications for family medicine and primary care management.

This cross-sectional study assessed cognitive dysfunction and its link to alcohol dependence severity in 90 inpatients at a tertiary care hospital in Central India. Participants, aged 18-65 and meeting ICD-10 criteria for alcohol dependence, underwent cognitive evaluations using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SAD-Q).

Patients with severe dependence exhibited significantly lower MoCA and FAB scores, with 72.2% scoring below the MoCA cutoff and 33.3% below the FAB cutoff. Negative correlations between SAD-Q and MoCA (-0.509) and FAB (-0.324) scores indicated that higher dependence severity was associated with greater cognitive decline. These findings highlight the importance of integrating cognitive assessments and rehabilitation into primary care practices for effective management of alcohol-related impairments.

The study confirms severe cognitive impairments in ADD, particularly frontal executive functions. Routine cognitive evaluations in primary care settings can enable early detection and comprehensive management, improving patient outcomes and reducing the healthcare burden associated with ADD.