Evaluation of anxiety symptoms in patients with alcohol use disorder and associated sociodemographic and clinical correlates: a tertiary hospital-based follow-up study

This prospective longitudinal study aims to evaluate anxiety symptoms in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and their impact on treatment outcomes. Conducted over a period of two years (July 2024 - July 2026) , the study will involve 164 patients aged 18-65 years, diagnosed with AUD as per DSM-5 criteria. The primary aim is to evaluate anxiety symptoms in patients with AUD and understanding its short term outcomes. Specific objectives include evaluating anxiety symptoms in AUD patients, comparing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between patients with and without anxiety symptoms, and assessing the relationship between anxiety symptoms and drinking patterns over a three-month follow-up period. Inclusion criteria encompass patients of either gender, aged 18-65 years, outpatients and inpatients, who provide informed consent. Exclusion criteria include the presence of other substance use disorders (except nicotine dependence), comorbid depressive disorders or psychosis, and acute withdrawal (CIWA-Ar score >8). Justification for the study lies in the difficulty of diagnosing co-morbid anxiety disorders during initial assessment and detoxification phases, with existing literature showing inconsistent results regarding the outcomes of AUDs with co-morbid anxiety disorders. The study employs various tools including the semi-structured perfoma, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T5), Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ), Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale (CIWA-Ar), Quick Drinking Screen (QDS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to collect data on sociodemographic details, alcohol use patterns, and anxiety levels. Although minimal risks are anticipated, primarily related to discomfort from interview questions, the study offers potential benefits by enhancing the understanding of anxiety prevalence in AUD patients, which could lead to improved management strategies for this population.

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