J Korean Med Sci.  2015 Nov;30(11):1675-1681. 10.3346/jkms.2015.30.11.1675.

Steep Decrease of Gender Difference in DSM-IV Alcohol Use Disorder: A Comparison of Two Nation-wide Surveys Conducted 10 Years Apart in Korea

• Seong SJ
• Hong JP
• Hahm BJ
• Jeon HJ
• Sohn JH
• Lee JY
• Cho MJ

• KMID: 2351120
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2015.30.11.1675

Abstract

While decreasing trend in gender differences in alcohol use disorders was reported in Western countries, the change in Asian countries is unknown. This study aims to explore the shifts in gender difference in alcohol abuse (AA) and dependence (AD) in Korea. We compared the data from two nation-wide community surveys to evaluate gender differences in lifetime AA and AD by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Face-to-face interviews using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) were applied to all subjects in 2001 (n=6,220) and 2011 (n=6,022). Male-to-female ratio of odds was decreased from 6.41 (95% CI, 4.81-8.54) to 4.37 (95% CI, 3.35-5.71) for AA and from 3.75 (95% CI, 2.96-4.75) to 2.40 (95% CI, 1.80-3.19) for AD. Among those aged 18-29, gender gap even became statistically insignificant for AA (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.97-2.63) and AD (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.80-2.41) in 2011. Men generally showed decreased odds for AD (0.55; 95% CI, 0.45-0.67) and women aged 30-39 showed increased odds for AA (2.13; 95% CI 1.18-3.84) in 2011 compared to 2001. Decreased AD in men and increased AA in women seem to contribute to the decrease of gender gap. Increased risk for AA in young women suggests needs for interventions.

Keyword

Alcohol-related Disorders; Alcohol Abuse and Dependence; Prevalence; Gender; Social Change; Republic of Korea; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI)

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Alcohol-Induced Disorders/*diagnosis/*epidemiology/psychology
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
*Health Care Surveys
Humans
Incidence
Male
Middle Aged
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Risk Factors
Sex Distribution
Young Adult

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