알코올 의존 환자의 혈장 5-hydroxyindoleacetic Acid 농도와 음주 행태와의 상관 관계

The Correlation between Plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic Acid Concentration and Alcohol Consummatory Behavior in Alcoholic Patients

Objectives：The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference between alcoholics and normal controls on plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration, alcohol consummatory behavior and aggression and to examine their interrelationship in alcoholics. Methods：We studied 70 recently abstinent, treatment-seeking alcoholics and compared with 40 normal controls. All subjects were assessed by plasma 5-HIAA concentration and State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Severity and age at onset of alcohol consumption were documented with selected alcoholism screening questionnaires (National Mental Hospital Alcoholism Screening Test). Results：1) Plasma 5-HIAA concentrations were more lower in alcoholics than in controls. 2) Alcoholic group had drunken more amount of alcohol and more frequently than control group. 3) Scores of anger in alcoholic group were significantly higher than in control group. 4) Reduced plasma 5-HIAA concentrations were correlated with amount and frequency of alcohol intake and early onset alcoholism. 5) There was no statistically significant correlation between reduced plasma 5-HIAA concentrations and scores of aggression in alcoholics. Conclusion：It is tempting to conclude that alcoholics may have lowered plasma 5-HIAA concentration. Reduced plasma 5-HIAA concentration is associated with more severe alcohol consumption and early onset alcoholism in alcoholics.