Co-occurrence of alcohol use disorder and mood disorders in the adult population in Poland: results from the EZOP II study.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of co-occurring mood disorders (MD) (depression, dysthymia, mania, neurasthenia) and alcohol use disorders (AUD) in the adult population in Poland.

METHODS

The analysis was conducted based on data obtained from the EZOP II study, carried out in 2018-2019 using the CAPI method. The study employed a nationally representative random sample of 11,998 individuals. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) v.21.1.4 questionnaire was used for diagnostic assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using the cross-tabulations with confidence intervals, phi correlation coefficients, and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The proportion of individuals in the general population diagnosed with co-occurring AUD and MD is 0.79%. AUD was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of MD in the entire sample and 2.7-fold increase in men. Among individuals with comorbid disorders, the average age of onset of AUD was lower than the average age of onset of MD. Significant predictors of co-occurrence included gender - women were significantly less likely to experience both disorders concurrently (OR = 0.163; p ≤ 0.01). Among men, risk factors included unemployment (OR = 5.131, p ≤ 0.05), separation or divorce (OR = 12.714; p ≤ 0.01), and being in an informal relationship (OR = 6.821; p ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the well-documented gendered nature of MD diagnosis, current estimates of AUD-MD comorbidity may underestimate its true prevalence. Population-based study indicates that men aged 30-39, who are unemployed, divorced, separated, or cohabiting, and have a basic vocational education are at highest risk of the co-occurrence of MD and AUD.