Cognitive impairment in alcohol dependence syndrome: A cross-sectional study using MoCA

• Author Details:   
• Ritwik Mishra
• Rajneesh Bharat ^*
• M Sharma
• H Singh
• K Mishra

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Background: Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) is associated not only with physical and psychological consequences but also with significant cognitive impairment, often overlooked in clinical settings. Early identification of cognitive deficits is essential for tailoring effective interventions and improving treatment adherence.

Objective: To assess cognitive functioning in patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome and examine its association with demographic and clinical variables.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 110 male inpatients diagnosed with ADS at a tertiary care hospital in Western India. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with a score below 26 indicating cognitive impairment. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a semi-structured proforma. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests and independent t-tests.

Results: Cognitive impairment was observed in 21 (19.1%) patients. The most affected cognitive domains included attention, visuospatial/executive functions, and delayed recall (p < 0.01). A significant association was found between the duration of alcohol consumption and cognitive impairment (p = 0.025), with higher prevalence among those consuming alcohol for more than 20 years. Although a greater proportion of patients with lower education showed impairment, the association was not statistically significant (p = 0.102). No significant differences were found in language and abstraction scores.

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of ADS patients exhibit early cognitive deficits, particularly with prolonged alcohol use. Routine cognitive screening using tools like MoCA should be incorporated into standard care to guide individualized management and rehabilitation strategies.