Correlation between Depressive symptoms and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase in Alcohol dependence patients

Dr. Malar Moses; Dr. R. Kamali

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2019

Correlation between Depressive symptoms and Gamma Glutamyl Transferase in Alcohol dependence patients

Dr. Malar Moses, Dr. R. Kamali

Abstract :

Background : As many as 80% of alcoholic men and women complain of depressive symptoms and at least one third meet the criteria for a major depressive episode. Biological monitoring of alcohol usage is important in evaluation of prevention efforts and alcoholism treatment programs. Objectives : To find correlation between depressive symptoms and GGT levels in Alcohol dependence patients. Material and methods : The study was conducted over a period of seven months between July 2017 to January 2018, among patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria and admitted in the deaddiction ward at a tertiary treatment centre. The study group consisted of persons with alcohol dependence. Two matched control groups were chosen. Blood samples were collected on admission and on the 21st day of deaddiction. Psychiatric rating scales like AUDIT, ASI , Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment scale–Alcohol (revised), Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale were administered . Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 11 . Results : Most of the cases, 46.67% were in the 31 to 40 year group. The mean age of cases was 34.7 years. On admission 80% of alcohol dependents had depressive symptoms and it reduced to 36.67% after de–addiction. The mean GGT value for alcohol dependents on day 0 was 52 with S.D. of 24.49. The difference between the cases and control groups was statistically significant. There was positive correlation between MADRS scores and levels of GGT on day 21. Conclusion : Depressive symptoms were present in 90% of alcohol dependents prior to deaddiction and was reduced to 36.67% after abstinence. There was a positive correlation between MADRS scores and levels of GGT on day 21. About 43% of alcohol dependents had increased levels of GGT