Co-occurrence of alcohol use disorder and mood disorders in the adult population in Poland: results from the EZOP II study.

Purpose: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of co-occurring mood disorders (MD) (depression, dysthymia, mania, neurasthenia) and alcohol use disorders (AUD) in the adult population in Poland. Methods: The analysis was conducted based on data obtained from the EZOP II study, carried out in 2018-2019 using the CAPI method. The study employed a nationally representative random sample of 11,998 individuals. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) v.21.1.4 questionnaire was used for diagnostic assessments. Statistical analysis was performed using the cross-tabulations with confidence intervals, phi correlation coefficients, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The proportion of individuals in the general population diagnosed with co-occurring AUD and MD is 0.79%. AUD was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of MD in the entire sample and 2.7-fold increase in men. Among individuals with comorbid disorders, the average age of onset of AUD was lower than the average age of onset of MD. Significant predictors of co-occurrence included gender - women were significantly less likely to experience both disorders concurrently (OR = 0.163; Conclusions: Given the well-documented gendered nature of MD diagnosis, current estimates of AUD-MD comorbidity may underestimate its true prevalence. Population-based study indicates that men aged 30-39, who are unemployed, divorced, separated, or cohabiting, and have a basic vocational education are at highest risk of the co-occurrence of MD and AUD.