Outcome of treatment in alcoholic women.

Abstract

One hundred and seventy-eight females (mean age 40.6 +/- 10.2 years) were retrospectively studied by questionnaires for a mean duration of 46 (17-75) months. Sixty-two percent were married or living maritally. One third were working. The mean alcohol intake was 157 +/- 76 g/day and 57.3% had alcohol dependence for less than 5 years. Twenty-seven patients (15%) were lost to follow-up; out of the 151 remaining patients, 7 (4%) refused to answer and 18 (12%) died. Suicide and alcoholism complications were a frequent cause of death. One hundred and twenty-six questionnaires were obtained. Twenty-eight women (22%) were abstinent. A good outcome determined by the state of alcoholization (abstinence or moderate consumption) and the improvement of quality of life, was found in 44% of patients. Absence of marital life and greater alcohol intake were related to a poor outcome, whereas enrollment in a fellowship of recovering alcoholics was more frequent in abstinent patients. The mortality rate was important in alcoholic females. A number of factors were related to the outcome.