Arginine vasopressin and oxytocin levels in patients with alcohol dependence and their association with morbid jealousy and partner violence: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND

Delusions of infidelity are more frequent in alcohol use disorder (AUD) than in primary psychotic disorders.

METHODS

To examine the association of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) levels with morbid jealousy in patients with AUD, patients having AUD with morbid jealousy (cases) and AUD without morbid jealousy (controls) were compared on sociodemographic, clinical variables and serum AVP and OT levels. Median AVP and OT levels were compared between the groups. Regression analysis was done to control for confounders.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight cases and 29 controls were recruited. Partner violence more frequent among cases than controls (85.7% vs 24.1%) (P < 0.001). OT levels were significantly higher among cases [median = 69.47 ng/mL] (IQR 40.82-97.12) than controls [median = 38.75 ng/ml] (IQR 26.99-75.11) (P = 0.034). This was not confounded by age or timing of blood sampling.

CONCLUSION

Patients with AUD with morbid jealousy had greater incidence of partner violence and higher serum OT levels than controls.