Risk Factors for Stress-induced Alcohol Misuse: Genetic Predictors and Mediation by Personality Type (RISK)

Personality and Genotypic Markers That Predict Individual Differences in Susceptibility to Stress-induced Alcohol Misuse: a Feasibility Study.

To examine whether variation in 'risk-taking' personality and linked genetic variants predicts susceptibility to, and resilience against, stress-induced alcohol misuse.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Alcohol Use, Unspecified

Detailed Description

Alcohol misuse is a global health issue responsible for over 1 million hospital admissions per annum in the UK with a combined cost of approximately £21 billion. Chronic alcohol misuse in patients who attend hospital for alcohol-related illness/injury is common, with relapse and recidivism almost ubiquitous. Patients often report that 'stress' was a catalyst for their drinking episodes, but we do not know exactly who is most at risk, how stress leads to drinking, or the genetic basis for this risk. This research aims to seek to identify patients at higher risk of stress-induced alcohol misuse, or who are more resilient to stress in this context, using a combination of analyses ranging from genetic variants to personality tests and clinical follow-up. The ultimate goal is that patients engaging with alcohol services can receive personalised and focussed treatment and enhance recovery

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 29

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • Hampshire
    • Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom, PO63LY
      • Portsmouth University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be patients attending Portsmouth Hospitals University Trust following alcohol-related illness/injury and an AUDIT score of greater than 15 (suggesting high risk of dependence and alcohol misuse). They will be adults (>18 years).

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or Female, aged (min) 18 years
• Attended Portsmouth Hospitals University Trust following illness/injury related to alcohol use
• Has a maximum AUDIT score of 15
• Is willing and able to comply with study procedures
• Willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.
• Must be recruited within 24 hrs of ASNS referral, and able to be tested within 48 hours of referral

Exclusion Criteria:

ny reported/suspected intellectual/learning disabilities (e.g., Down's Syndrome), neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Autism, Asperger's) or acquired brain injury

• Has previously participated in this study
• Should not be under the influence of alcohol during the study (12hrs previous to taking part) - to be determined via breathalyser.
• Any history of advanced liver disease (clinical diagnosis of cirrhosis, jaundice, encephalopathy, ascites, variceal haemorrhage)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Risk taking behaviour	Measured by the Stop Signal Reaction Time Task (computer task) which measures the ability to inhibit a planned response	Immediately after the study visit
Molecular Anaylsis	Cheek swabs will be taken from all participant to carry out genomic DNA analysis	Immediately after the study visit
Alcohol misuse	Measured using the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) (higher the score the worse the outcome)	immediately after the procedure
Recent stressors	Measured using the 30 item Stress Overload Scale questionnaire (higher the score, the worse the outcome)	Immediately after the study visit
Life Events	Measured using the Life Events Checklist Questionnaire (the higher the score the worse the outcome)	Immediately after the study visit
Impulse Behaviour	Measured using the the Urgency, Premeditation (lack of), Perseverance (lack of), Sensation Seeking, Positive Urgency, Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) higher values indicate more impulsive behavior.	Immediately after the study visit

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
• Collaborators: University of Portsmouth

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 26, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 30, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): September 30, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 26, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 26, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): September 1, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 3, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 30, 2023
• Last Verified: January 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Drinking Behavior; Alcohol Drinking
• Other Study ID Numbers: PHT/2019/63

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No