The effects on mortality of brief interventions for problem drinking: a meta‐analysis

Abstract

Aims Brief interventions for problem drinking may result in decreased mortality rates. Long-term follow-up studies of brief interventions do not produce a clear answer to the question as to whether these interventions reduce mortality or not. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized studies comparing brief interventions with a control group, using the fixed-effects model. A systematic literature search produced four studies in which the mortality status of subjects was verified at follow-up. Six more studies reported some deaths at follow-up but did not verify mortality in death registers, and 22 further studies did not report the mortality status of the included subjects. Findings The pooled relative risk (RR) of dying was 0.47 for the four studies with verified mortality rates (95% CI: 0.25, 0.89). The pooled RR of all 32 studies was comparable (RR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.84), as were the RRs of several other subsamples of studies. The prevented fraction was 0.33 in the studies with verified mortality rates. Conclusions Although the overall death rate was low in the population of problem drinkers, brief interventions do appear to reduce mortality.

O comportamento de beber entre dependentes de álcool: estudo de seguimento

“…Segundo o consenso sobre a síndrome da abstinência do álcool , as principais comorbidades clínicas do sistema gastrointestinal associadas ao consumo de bebidas alcoólicas são: pancreatite crônica, esteatose hepática, hepatite alcoólica, hemorragia digestiva, cirrose hepática com ou sem hepatite alcoólica, gastrite, esofagite de refluxo e tumores. Bouchier et al (1992), Yuan et al (1997), Pessione et al (2003), Jepsen et al (2003), Ramstedt (2003), Sorensen et al (2003) e Dam-Larsen et al (2004), em seus estudos (incluindo aqueles de seguimento), apontam que indivíduos com doenças gastrointestinais que abusam do álcool apresentam pior prognóstico e taxa de mortalidade aumentada quando comparados àqueles que não consomem álcool e à população geral.…”

General dental practitioner views on providing alcohol related health advice; an exploratory study

“…13,14 Indeed a recent article proposed that the clinical relevance of alcohol BI is such that delaying dissemination will result in otherwise avoidable deaths. 15 It is generally agreed that BIs offer an effi cacious and cost effective way of decreasing the burden from excessive alcohol consumption. 16,17 However, there are some detractors to BI, questioning their true effectiveness and advocating that further research regarding the evaluation and implementation of BI in primary care settings is undertaken.…”

A randomized trial of brief interventions for problem and pathological gamblers.

“…An extensive literature suggests that brief interventions are more effective than no treatment, and often as effective as more extended treatment, in reducing alcohol use (Babor, 1994;Bien, Miller, & Tonigan, 1993;Miller et al, 1995). Such interventions are especially efficacious and cost-effective for patients with less severe forms of a disorder, i.e., problem drinkers rather than dependent patients (Babor, 1994;Bertholet, Daeppen, Wietlisbach, Fleming, & Burnand, 2005;Cuijpers, Riper, & Lemmers, 2004). Their benefits have been extended to other conditions such as reducing onset of major depression and improving quality of life in those with sub-threshold depression (Willemse, Smit, Cuijpers, & Tiemens, 2004).…”