Related Experiment Videos
Tuberculosis and alcoholism in Croatia
D Breitenfeld1, Z Trkanjec, V Thaller
1University Hospital Sestre milosrdnice, Zagreb.
Collegium Antropologicum
|February 10, 1999
Summary
Alcoholism and tuberculosis co-occur frequently, necessitating integrated treatment. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) effectively identifies hazardous drinking in tuberculosis patients, enabling simultaneous management of both conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Addiction Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Alcoholism and tuberculosis present complex treatment challenges, often requiring specialized care beyond traditional hospital wards.
- Tuberculosis incidence has significantly declined in Croatia, yet co-occurring alcoholism remains a critical issue.
- A unique ward management system for tuberculosis and alcoholic patients has been operational for 25 years, based on therapeutic community principles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare preliminary results of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in tuberculosis patients with and without a diagnosis of alcoholism.
- To assess the prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among tuberculosis patients admitted to a specialized hospital.
- To advocate for the integration of universal alcohol screening and simultaneous treatment in pulmonary and tuberculosis wards.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for screening alcohol consumption.
- Compared AUDIT scores between tuberculosis patients diagnosed with alcoholism and those without.
- Analyzed data from patients admitted to a specialized hospital for pulmonary diseases and tuberculosis.
Main Results:
- Tuberculosis patients with alcoholism diagnosis exhibited very high average AUDIT scores (25.44), indicating harmful/hazardous drinking.
- Over 50% of tuberculosis patients without an alcoholism diagnosis also scored 8 or higher on AUDIT, suggesting significant hazardous alcohol use.
- The specialized ward demonstrated the feasibility of managing co-occurring tuberculosis and alcoholism.
Conclusions:
- The AUDIT is a valuable tool for identifying hazardous drinking in tuberculosis patients, even those without a formal alcoholism diagnosis.
- Simultaneous treatment for tuberculosis and alcohol use disorders is crucial for affected patients.
- Implementing universal screening and group sociotherapy for alcohol problems in all tuberculosis wards is recommended.