DSM-5 in patients seeking their first treatment for alcohol use disorder. Sex differences in the multicenter CohRTA study.

We aimed to analyze sex differences in the DSM-5 criteria
among patients admitted to their first treatment of alcohol use
disorder (AUD). Methods: Assessment of AUD was carried out using
DSM-5 diagnostic criteria in a multicenter study (CohRTA) within
the Spanish Network on Addictive Disorders. Further, baseline
questionnaires including socio-demographics, family history, lifetime
alcohol consumption and other substance use, as well as clinical and
laboratory parameters were obtained during admission. Results: 313
patients (74.8%M) were eligible; mean age at first AUD treatment was
48.8 years (standard deviation (SD): 9.9 years). Age at onset of alcohol
use was 15.9 years (SD: 3.3 years) and age at starting regular alcohol
consumption was 25.6 years (SD: 9.6 years). Almost 69.3% of patients
were tobacco smokers and 61% had family history of AUD. Regarding other substance use, 7.7% were current cocaine users and 18.2% were cannabis users. Women started regular alcohol consumption later than men (ptreatment. Social impairment and risky alcohol use are significantly more frequent in men.