Associations between self-rated health, quality of life and symptoms of depression among Finnish inpatients with alcohol and substance use disorders

ABSTRACT

Background: Alcohol and substance use disorders (SUDs) are known to be associated with various health problems and somatic comorbidities however, not much is known on how individuals with SUDs themselves view their own health. Depression is common in SUDs and it is also associated with various health problems. The aim of this study was to assess how individuals undergoing inpatient treatment for SUDs perceived their health status and quality of life (QoL) and how having symptoms of depression affected these perceptions.

Methods: Data regarding a convenience sample of eighty inpatients with a diagnosis of alcohol or substance dependence were analyzed. Data were collected through a clinical interview and validated questionnaires.

Results: Individuals undergoing inpatient treatment for SUDs reported various somatic comorbidities and their self-rated health was moderate. Back pain, high blood pressure and liver disease were the most commonly reported somatic comorbidities. More severe symptoms of depression were associated with poorer self-rated health, more comorbidities and poorer QoL after adjusting for potential confounders such as age.

Conclusions: Individuals with SUDs have many health-related concerns and their QoL is impaired. Symptoms of depression are associated with self-rated health and QoL in this population.

KEYWORDS:

• Self-rated health
• perceived health status
• quality of life
• substance use disorder
• alcohol use disorder

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.