European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Alcohol is the world's oldest known drug. Drinking alcohol and related beverages in social gatherings is a common feature in many parts of the world and in some parts of the world drinking alcohol is a part of cultures and societies.
Materials and Methods: The study sample included 74 eligible alcohol dependent male patients. 26 patients out of the study sample were patients who were admitted in Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry. 48 patients were recruited from TTK Hospital, Chennai. The study period was from October 2008 to March 2010
Result: The patients had overall average cognition and intelligence score. Duration of abstinence had an effect on visuo-spatial and perception skills, intelligence scores and some of WCST scores The global cognitive profile as measured by MMSE was predicted by age of the patient, age at first use of alcohol and duration of use of alcohol. It was established that starting alcohol consumption at a younger age would result in cognitive problems and the odds was 33% higher compared to people who started drinking in the recent past. Unskilled workers had more deficits in visuospatial coordination and perception skills compared to people in the other working category.
Conclusions: In the study it was found that compared to the higher years of dependence, people with lower years of dependence had more correct responses in WCST test.