Postural control and lifetime alcohol consumption in alcohol-dependent patients

Objectives - The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and postural control in alcohol-dependent patients. Mat erial and methods - Posturographic measurements were performed in 82 abstin ent patients and in 54 healthy controls. The findings in the patients were compared with those in the controls as well as with the daily alcohol consu mption, the consumption during 6 months before the admission for alcohol wi thdrawal therapy and the estimated lifetime alcohol consumption. Results - Postural control was impaired in alcohol-dependent patients compared to hea lthy controls. This impairment was related with the lifetime alcohol consum ption, but not with the alcohol consumption per day and prior to admission, respectively. Comparing healthy controls, and alcohol-dependent patients w ith an estimated lifetime alcohol consumption of < 1000 kg and greater than or equal to 1000 kg revealed a significant increase in 6 of 8 sway paramet ers. Furthermore, the lifetime alcohol consumption increased significantly from patients with normal posturographic and clinical findings to those wit h abnormalities in both examinations. Conclusion - This study suggests that postural imbalance in abstinent alcohol-dependent patients is related to t he lifetime alcohol consumption.