• Journal of health informatics and statistics
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.192-198
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was designed to construct and test the structural equation model for the alcohol-related problem of alcohol use disorders. Methods: Data were collected by structured self-questionnaires from 229 male subjects who received > 8 (greater than 8) score on Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). The Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0. Results: The model fit indices for the modified hypothetical model showed Q = 2.50, GFI = 0.90, and CFI = 0.94. As a result, Life position, parent's drinking problem, and alcohol expectancy had significantly direct effect on alcohol-related problem. Alcohol expectancy also had mediator effect between life position and alcohol-related problem. Conclusions: Consequently, the more positive life position, the less alcohol-related problem occurred. It is necessary to change their life position, which is individual factor, to prevent or reduce the alcohol related problem of alcohol use disorders.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2017

The use of alcohol is associated with the development and worsening of sleep disorder. Alcohol is generally known to have a sedative effect, but it has an arousal or sedative effect depending on the timing and drinking dose and directly affects REM sleep physiology. Alcohol acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to interfere with the sleep-wake cycle and to affect sleep-related hormone secretion. In addition, the ingestion of alcohol pre-sleep is associated with deterioration and development of sleep related breathing disorders (SBD). The increase in resistance of the upper respiratory tract and the decrease in sensitivity of the CNS respiratory center and the respiratory muscles are major mechanisms of alcohol-induced SBD, and result in snoring or apnea in healthy men or aggravating apnea in patients with OSA. Sleep-related restless leg syndrome and circadian rhythm disorders are common in alcohol use disorder patients. This review provides an assessment of scientific studies that investigated on the impact of alcohol ingestion on nocturnal sleep physiology and sleep disorders.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.59-62
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• 2013

Alcohol has been used as sedatives historically. The effect of alcohol on sleep is different according to its dose, timing of ingestion, and drinking frequency. Sleep problems may play a role in the development and course of alcohol-related disorders. Insomnia in alcohol-dependent patients is common and early treatment of insomnia may reduce the rate of relapse. Sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, periodic limbs movement disorder, and altered circadian rhythm may be more frequent in this patients. Management of sleep and alcohol problems is important in treating alcohol-related disorder and sleep disorders, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.219-226
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• 1999

Objectives : The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in plasma superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities in alcohol depedence, to find out variables to influence on the SOD activities, and finally to identify the correlation of SOD activities with the alcohol-associated cognitive disorders. Methods : For 24 male alcoholics and 21 healthy male controls, plasma SOD activities were measured by spectrophotometry on 1-2 wks after alcohol withdrawal. Structured interviews and laboratory tests were also performed. Results : 1) Upon comparing SOD activities between controls and alcoholics, the SOD activities were significantly(p<0.01) lower in alcoholics($0.308{\pm}0.140$ units/mL) than in healthy controls($0.313{\pm}0.086$ units/mL). 2) Upon comparing SOD activities according to the presence of alcohol-related cognitive disorders, the SOD activities were significantly(p<0.05) lower in alcoholics with cognitive disorders($0.247{\pm}0.049$ units/mL) than in alcoholics without cognitive disorders($0.317{\pm}0.148$ units/mL). 3) Upon comparing SOD activities according to the presence of alcoholic polyneuropathy or alcohol withdrawal seizure, the SOD activities showed no significant differences between alcoholics with polyneuropathy or epilepsy and those without. 4) Upon analyzing variables influencing on the SOD activities in alcoholics, the SOD activities had the negative correlation with hemoglobin(${\gamma}=-0.433$) and severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms(${\gamma}=-0.375$). 5) Upon comparing variables according to the presence of alcohol-related cognitive disorders, the occurrence of alcoholic polyneuropathy(p<0.05) and blood phosphorus concentrations(p<0.01) were significantly higher in alcoholics with cognitive disorders than those without. 6) Upon analyzing an association between SOD activities and variables in alcoholics with cognitive disorders, the SOD activities were positively correlated with the onset age(${\gamma}=0.995$), and negatively correlated with the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms(${\gamma}=-0.996$). Conclusions : Lower SOD activities in alcohol dependence suggested alcohol-associated cognitive disorders and alcohol withdrawal symptoms might be caused by oxidative stress.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.277-283
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• 2001

Objectives : To investigate the prevalence of hazardous and harmful alcohol use, which are a subthreshold of alcohol related disorders, Methods : Direct-interview questionnaires to 1,183 rural persons (489 male, 694 female) were conducted in Chungju-city from July 2 to 20, 1998. As a screening instrument, the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) was used. Results : The prevalence of alcohol use was 41.7%. In males, it was 66.3% and in females, it was 24.4%. The mean of the AUDIT score of males and females was 13.2 and 5.6, respectively. As WHO guideline, the prevalence of hazardous alcohol use in males and females was 80.3% and 20.7%, respectively. This suggests that the prevalence of 'hazardous drinking' and 'harmful drinking' was 45.4% and 29.3% for males and 1.2% and 2.4% for females, respectively. Conclusions : This study presented the prevalence of hazardous and harmful drinking of a rural population in Korea and reviewed those health problems. Further evaluation to detect and treat lower alcoholic drinkers is recommended.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2006

Alcohol has extensive effects on sleep and daytime sleepiness. Alcohol has a sleep inducing effect and the effect of increased non-REM sleep and suppressed REM sleep during the first half portion of night sleep, but alcohol induces the effect of decreased non-REM sleep and increased light sleep and frequent awakenings and REM rebound during the second half portion of night sleep. Alcohol provokes chronobiological change such as the changes of amplitude or the phase shifts of hormones or core body temperature. The sleep disruption resulting from alcohol drinking may lead to daytime fatigue and sleepiness. The elderly are at particular in the increased risk of alcohol-related sleep disorders because they achieve higher levels of alcohol in the blood and brain than do younger adults after consuming an equivalent dose. Bedtime alcohol consumption among older adults may lead to unsteadiness if walking is attempted during the night, with increased risk of falls and injuries. Continued alcohol use for sleep induction often induces aggravation of insomnia, alcoholism or sleep related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Alcohol should not be used as substitution of sleep pill because of the dependence and tolerance for sleep inducing effect, and the sleep disruption produced by alcohol withdrawal.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.690-700
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness of alcohol use during pregnancy and factors influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy by drinking levels. Methods: Utilizing a comparative descriptive design, a total of 359 female college students were recruited. Measurements were Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables related awareness of alcohol use during pregnancy, Korean Version of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, knowledge about alcohol use during pregnancy, and socio-demographic factors. Main variables were compared by drinking levels. The factors influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy were identified using hierarchical regression analysis. Results: Non-problematic alcohol behavior group (n=185) had higher the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy than problematic alcohol behavior group (n=174) (t=3.13, p=.002). The significant TPB variables influencing the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy were that attitudes (β =-.44, p<.001), subjective norms (β =.14, p=.026), and perceived behavior control (β =.19, p=.002) in non-problematic alcohol behavior group, whereas the corresponding variables in the problematic alcohol behavior group were attitudes (β =-.51, p<.001) and subjective norms (β =.21, p=.006). Conclusion: It is necessary to increase the intention to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy for the female college students having problematic alcohol behavior. The following strategies are recommended for them; decreasing acceptable attitudes toward alcohol use during pregnancy and reinforcing the influence of social pressure toward to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.85-95
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• 2009

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the reasons for drinking and alcohol-related problems, and to identify the factors related with alcohol problems by gender among university students in Korea. Methods: A total of 472 students (47% men; 53% women) in four universities in Korea participated in this study. The following instruments were used the Reasons for Drinking Questionnaire (RFDQ) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Results: In results the mean AUDIT was 9.6 (${\pm}5.4$) for men and 6.4 (${\pm}4.7$) for women, and there were high correlations between the AUDIT score and the reasons for drinking. The factors related with AUDIT score were age, the age of first smoking, and social reasons for drinking in men, but religion, age of first smoking, and negative reasons for drinking in women. Conclusion: This study reveals the reasons for drinking and alcohol related problems were different from drinking by gender among university students in Korea.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.233-241
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• 2009

Purpose: Alcohol is a major risk factor for injuries, but little is known about the relationship between chronic drinking pattern and injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of alcohol-related injuries and the differences in the characteristics of the injuries between Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) categories. Methods: Among a representative sample of the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. 7,697 adults answered questions about injuries, drinking patterns, and socioeconomic status. Incidences of alcohol-related injuries and of non-alcohol-related injuries were calculated, and the relative ratio of injuries between AUDIT categories was analyzed. Results: The incidences of all injuries and alcohol-related injuries were 69.2 and 6.8 per 1000 person-year. After adjustment, the incidences of non-alcohol-related injuries showed no differences between AUDIT categories. But the adjusted relative ratios (RRs) of alcohol-related injuries were 3.73 (95% CI: 1.54~8.99) and 7.70 (95% CI: 3.61~16.44) for risk drinkers and for alcohol-dependent drinkers respectively. No specific body part could be identified as being frequently injured in cases of risk drinkers and alcohol-dependent drinkers. In contrast, the adjusted RRs of fractures, bruises, and open wounds were 1.76 (95% CI: 1.03~3.02), 1.73 (95% CI: 1.15~2.61), and 1.85 (95% CI: 1.17~2.93) for alcohol-dependent drinkers. Assaults occurred 4.66 times more frequently in alcohol-dependent drinkers. Conclusion: Alcohol-related injuries occur more frequently as the person becomes more dependent on alcohol. Fractures, Bruises, open wounds, and assaults occur more frequently in alcohol-dependent drinker. This study suggests that efforts should be carried out in the ED to screen and treat alcohol-use disorders associated with patients injured after drinking.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2023

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors of alcohol use disorder among Korean adults. Methods: Cross-sectional exploratory study based on data collected from Data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2015 were performed in this study. There were 3,248 participants who were 2,558 normal drinkers while 690 had alcohol use disorder. Decision tree analysis were used to exam socio-demographic and health-related factors to predict alcohol use disorder. Results: As a result of decision tree analysis, the predictive model for factors related to alcohol use disorder in Korean adults presented with 8 pathways. The significant predictors of alcohol use disorder were age, gender, smoking, marital status, and house income. Male smokers whose household income is 'high' or 'low' are most vulnerable to alcohol use disorders. Conclusions: This study indicates that need to consider health behavior and house income when we practice prevention policies and health education of alcohol use disorder.