Alcohol consumption as a risk factor for anxiety and depression - Results from the longitudinal follow-up of the National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey

TY - JOUR

T1 - Alcohol consumption as a risk factor for anxiety and depression - Results from the longitudinal follow-up of the National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey

AU - Haynes, J C

AU - Farrell, M

AU - Singleton, N

AU - Meltzer, H

AU - Araya, R

AU - Lewis, G

AU - Wiles, N J

PY - 2005/12

Y1 - 2005/12

N2 - Background Longitudinal studies have been inconclusive in identifying alcohol as a risk factor for anxiety and depression. Aims To examine whether excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for anxiety and depression in the general population, and whether anxiety and depression are risk factors for excessive alcohol consumption. Method Data were analysed from the 18-month follow-up of the Psychiatric Morbidity Among Adults Living in Private Households, 2000 survey. Results Hazardous and dependent drinking were not associated with onset of anxiety and depression at follow-up. Binge-drinking was non-significantly associated with incident anxiety and depression (adjusted OR=1.36,95% Cl 0.74-2.50). Abstainers were less likely to have new-onset anxiety and depression at follow-up. Anxiety and depression or subthreshold symptoms at baseline were not associated with incident hazardous or binge-drinking at follow-up, but there was weak evidence linking sub-threshold symptoms with onset of alcohol dependence (adjusted OR=2.04,95% Cl 0.84-4.97). Conclusions Excessive alcohol consumption was not associated with the onset of anxiety and depression but abstinence was associated with a lower risk. Sub-threshold symptoms were weakly associated with new-onset alcohol dependence. Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements

AB - Background Longitudinal studies have been inconclusive in identifying alcohol as a risk factor for anxiety and depression. Aims To examine whether excessive alcohol consumption is a risk factor for anxiety and depression in the general population, and whether anxiety and depression are risk factors for excessive alcohol consumption. Method Data were analysed from the 18-month follow-up of the Psychiatric Morbidity Among Adults Living in Private Households, 2000 survey. Results Hazardous and dependent drinking were not associated with onset of anxiety and depression at follow-up. Binge-drinking was non-significantly associated with incident anxiety and depression (adjusted OR=1.36,95% Cl 0.74-2.50). Abstainers were less likely to have new-onset anxiety and depression at follow-up. Anxiety and depression or subthreshold symptoms at baseline were not associated with incident hazardous or binge-drinking at follow-up, but there was weak evidence linking sub-threshold symptoms with onset of alcohol dependence (adjusted OR=2.04,95% Cl 0.84-4.97). Conclusions Excessive alcohol consumption was not associated with the onset of anxiety and depression but abstinence was associated with a lower risk. Sub-threshold symptoms were weakly associated with new-onset alcohol dependence. Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements

U2 - 10.1192/bjp.187.6.544

DO - 10.1192/bjp.187.6.544

M3 - Article

SN - 1472-1465

VL - 187

SP - 544

EP - 551

JO - British Journal of Psychiatry

JF - British Journal of Psychiatry

IS - DEC.

ER -