Cognitive functioning in patients with alcohol use disorder who start outpatient treatment.

Cognitive functioning in patients with alcohol use disorder who start outpatient treatment.
Adicciones. 2019 Jul 09;0(0):1326
Authors: Villa R, Espandian A, Sáiz PA, Astals M, Valencia JK, Martínez-Santamaría E, Álvarez S, García-Portilla MP, Bobes J, Flórez G
Abstract
The main objective of the present study is to analyze the presence of cognitive impairment associated with alcohol consumption in patients with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder seeking outpatient treatment for their dependence. To do this, we compared a sample of 111 patients with active alcohol use disorder who initiated ambulatory treatment with 100 healthy controls. We compared sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with alcohol consumption, such as alcohol craving and impulsivity. A systematized battery of cognitive tests was also used in the comparison, which allowed the evaluation of the following functions: Attention, anterograde memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, executive function and implicit attitude towards alcoholic beverages. Compared with healthy controls, patients with moderate or severe alcohol use disorder performed significantly worse in all tests used, and therefore in all cognitive functions evaluated, but for two tests, the Iowa Gambling Test and the Implicit Association Test. The analysis through a correlation matrix of the patient group indicates that patients who report more impulsivity and more chronic alcohol a...

Source: Adicciones - July 8, 2019 Category: Addiction Authors: Villa R, Espandian A, Sáiz PA, Astals M, Valencia JK, Martínez-Santamaría E, Álvarez S, García-Portilla MP, Bobes J, Flórez G Tags: Adicciones Source Type: research