[Sociodemographic and epidemiologic characteristics of hospitalized alcoholics in Vojvodina]

Using the Register of hospitalized alcoholics in Vojvodina we analyzed data on sociodemographic and epidemiologic characteristics of the alcoholic disease. This retrospective study, using longitudinal and anamnestic data during a three-year period (1991-1993) deals with all patients treated for Alcohol Dependency Syndrome (according to the International classification of diseases, IX revision) treated at neuropsychiatric institutions in Vojvodina and living on this territory. The sample consisted of 4783 examinees. The gathered results indicate that there is a decrease in number of patients treated for alcoholic disease, that is in incidence, prevalence and risk of morbidity in regard to the population of the examined territory. As this decrease is associated with a decreased number of registered psychiatric, neurologic, and somatic complications of the alcoholic disease, the authors may conclude that the intensity of actual social pathology and social disorders, which are characteristic for the above mentioned period resulting in the decrease of production and consumption of alcohol, decreases alcoholism and its complications.