Journal of Psychiatry

Outcome assessment in for alcohol use disorder treatment: Ensuring fair and strict testing

13^th World congress on Addictive Disorders & Addiction Therapy

October 24-25, 2024 Webinar

Susanne Rösner

Forel Klinik, Ellikon and er Thur, Switzerland

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Statement of the problem: Valid outcome assessment in alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment is crucial for therapeutic decision-making and for providing the most efficacious and safe treatments to patients who suffer a chronic disorder linked to high morbidity and mortality [1]. More than most other therapeutic fields, addiction treatment is affected by methodological problems such as low treatment adherence, high rate of drop-out and susceptibility of self-reported data to bias [2,3]. The high impact that methodological features have on results in AUD treatment and research is supported by meta-analytic findings demonstrating that methodological issues influence treatment efficacy more than the treatment intervention itself [4]. Thus, it is important to understand methodological particularities in addiction research and their impact on outcomes. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: In a methodological review [4] we discuss the selection of outcomes, methods to assess and analyze outcomes and the implementation of treatment implementations against the background of strict and fair testing. Findings: Selection of outcomes contributes to the validity of testing by using binary and continuous variables as primary and secondary outcomes, while controlling for inflation of the type I error resulting from multiple testing. Underreporting of drinking due to stigmatization of AUDs and anticipation of sanctions in AUD treatment can be prevented by an open non-stigmatizing and non-sanctioning climate in the treatment center and by ensuring that therapeutic staff has no access to outcome data. Fairness of testing can only be achieved, if patients are compliant with treatments and if compensatory effects are controlled. Conclusions: The impact of methodological features on outcome assessment in AUD treatment is complex and complicated by various interactions between design features, outcome measures and patient characteristics. Understanding and considering these factors in research and quality assessment does not only improve the chance for valid and reliable results, it might be crucial for therapeutic development and progress. References 1. Heilig M, MacKillop J, Martinez D, et al. Addiction as a brain disease revised: Why it still matters, and the need of consilience. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2021;46(10):1715-1723. 2. Matthews S, Dwyer R, Snoek A. Stigma and self-stigma in addiction. J Bioeth Inq. 2017;14(2):275–86. 3. Schomerus G, Matschinger H, Angermeyer MC. Attitudes towards alcohol dependence and afected individuals: persis tence of negative stereotypes and illness beliefs between 1990 and 2011. Eur Addict Res. 2014;20(6):293–9. 4. Klemperer EM, Hughes JR, Naud S. Study characteristics infu ence the efcacy of substance abuse treatments: a meta-analysis of medications for alcohol use disorder. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018;190:229–34. 5. Rösner S, Soyka M. Outcome Assessment in Trials of Pharmacological Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorders: Fair and Strict Testing. CNS Drugs. 2019;33(7):649-657.

Biography :

Susanne Rösner is affiliated to Forel Klinik, Ellikon and er Thur, Switzerland. She is a recipient of many awards and grants for her valuable contributions and discoveries in major area of addiction research. Her international experience includes various programs, contributions and participation in different countries for diverse fields of study. Her research interests reflect in her wide range of publications in various national and international journals.