Original scientific paper

ALCOHOLISM – FORGOTTEN DIAGNOSIS IN FAMILY PRACTICE

Mirica Rapić ; Ordinacija opće medicine, Karlovac
Mladenka Vrcić Keglević ; Zaklada za razvoj obiteljske medicine Hrvatske

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate trends of diagnosed alcoholism registered in general practice offices from 1995 to 2012. Mental health diseases (F)morbidity registered in family medicine was analysed from data published in the Croatian Health Service Yearbooks, with special emphasis on subgroup of disorders due to use of alcohol (F10).
Results of our study show that together with the increase of the total number of diseases in family medicine the number of mental diseases increase as well. The increase was noticed in all groups of mental diseases except in the group of mental diseases due to use of alcoholism. Alcoholism participated 9% in 1998 and only 3.2% in 2012 in total number of mental diseases. Decrease in the number of registered diagnosis of alcoholism was noticed in all age groups. It was the highest in the age group 7-19 years of age (66.9%), followed by those over 65 years (33.6%). It was the lowest in the group
aged 20-64 years (20.5%). Taking into consideration the absolute numbers, only 21.077 alcoholic patients were registered in family medicine in 2012 or only 0.6% of the adult population.Significantly smaller number of registered diagnosis connected to alcohol drinking than expected was established and it was deceasing with continuity during the 18 years period. Reasons for «neglecting» this diagnosis in family medicine should be examined because alcoholism is very
serious medical and socio-economic problem.

Keywords

mental diseases; alcoholism; family medicine; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

136097

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/136097

Publication date:

11.3.2015.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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