Exploring problematic alcohol use patterns in mood disorders through network analysis

초록

ObjectiveTo examine interactions between alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) through network analysis to identify factors influencing AUD symptoms in patients with mood disorders.MethodsWe recruited 494 individuals (64.6% women) with MDD (n = 160) or BD (n = 334) from Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. All participants underwent the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and exhibited at-risk drinking behavior (AUDIT score: >= 3). Network analysis assessed conditional independence among AUDIT items. Network stability and centrality robustness were evaluated, and a network comparison test compared MDD and BD network structures.ResultsThe AUDIT MDD network identified a cohesive community structure, while BD displayed two distinct clusters. Guilt after drinking and the frequency of heavy drinking were the most central symptoms in MDD and BD, respectively. Both networks demonstrated moderate to excellent stability. No significant differences in network structure or global strength were revealed between MDD and BD, indicating fundamental similarities.ConclusionsSpecific AUD symptoms are central in mood disorders, suggesting that targeted interventions may enhance treatment efficacy. Similar network structures in MDD and BD highlight the potential for integrated treatment approaches for AUD in mood disorders. Longitudinal research across diverse populations is warranted.

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