Personality disorders in a sample of inpatients alcoholics entering detoxification treatment in Italy: prevalence and gender differences

Introduction. Alcohol abuse and dependence are frequently associated with psychiatric disorders and Personality Disorders, with differences among genders. However, only few studies investigated gender differences in personality disorders among alcoholics. Aims. The aim of our study is to investigate personality disorders in a sample of inpatient alcoholics applying Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory – III, and to describe gender differences in prevalence and comorbidity of personality disorders. Methods. The study population consist of 206 alcohol dependent patients entering detoxification treatment in a specialized clinic in Italy. At enrollment, patients filled in the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory – III for the assessment of personality disorders and the AUDIT Test for the evaluation of alcohol consumption. Results. The sample consisted of 150 men and 56 women. According to Millon assessment, 25% percent of men vs 12% of women had one PDs, 16% vs 23% had two PDs, and 46% vs 48% had more than three PDs. A statistically significant higher proportion of women got high scores on Avoidant (21.4% vs 9.3%, p=0.020), Self-Defeating (50.0% vs 24.0%, p<0.001), and Borderline scale (42.9% vs 25.3%, p=0.015). Associations among PD are sporadic among men whilst are very frequent among women. Depressive, Self-Defeating and Borderline PDs are frequently associated both to other PDs and among each other, suggesting a possible female pattern. Conclusions. Borderline PD is confirmed to be more frequent among alcoholic women than among men. More studies are needed to clarify prevalence and associations of PDs, prognosis, and gender differences in alcoholics patients.