Citation

Luquiens A, Reynaud M, Falissard B, Aubin HJ. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2012; 125(3): 192-202.

Affiliation

Hôpital Paul Brousse, Univ Paris-Sud, INSERM U669, 94804 Villejuif, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.08.012

PMID

22939877

Abstract

AIM: The purpose of this systematic review was to compare quality-of-life instruments used as outcome measures in randomized clinical trials for alcohol-dependence treatment. METHODS: Randomized controlled clinical trials, indexed in the EMBASE, PubMed and PsycINFO databases since 1981, which aimed at improving the quality of life in alcohol-dependent patients and used as instrument to measure the quality of life, as specifically designated by the authors, were included. RESULTS: Of the 331 articles screened, 18 studies were included in the review. Eight different quality-of-life instruments were used as outcome measures. Twenty-seven life domains were explored. Between-scale heterogeneity was high. The scale most frequently used was the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Only 1 clinical trial demonstrated a significant difference between intervention groups at all endpoints, using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q). CONCLUSION: Because many different instruments were used, it is difficult to compare quality-of-life improvement between trials. The most frequently used instrument was a generic health status measure that may not be well suited as a quality-of-life measure for subjects with alcohol dependence. The construction and validation of a specific patient-reported outcome based on alcohol-dependent patients' concerns would effectively contribute to the assessment of treatment efficacy.

Language: en