Can temperament and character features of patients predict alcohol use after laryngectomy?

AIM: Patients with larynx cancer usually use alcohol besides tobacco. It has been reported earlier that nearly half of the patients who have undergone laryngectomy after larynx cancer diagnosis still continue to consume alcohol after the operation. The aim of this study was to compare the mood and character features of patients who do or do not consume alcohol during the postoperative period and thus to be able to predict the patients who will continue their alcohol use at the postoperative period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who have undergone partial or total laryngectomy operation were included in this study. To avoid early period treatment stress, it was required that the patients have completed their 6 months of postoperative period. The interviews made with the patients included filling out of the sociodemographic data form, TCI (temperament and character inventory), BDI (Beck depression inventory), BAI (Beck anxiety inventory), AUDIT (alcohol use disorders identification test) and CAGE (cut-down, annoyed, guilty, eye-opener) inquiry forms.

RESULTS: 80 patients who admitted alcohol consumption at the time of larynx cancer diagnosis were divided in to two groups and, 40% (n = 32) of this patients continued alcohol consumption after laryngectomy (Group 1) and 60% (n = 48) cut down on their alcohol use (Group 2). A statistically significant difference was observed between Group 1 and Group 2 at AUDIT and CAGE score averages (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). When TCI data were compared between Group 1 and Group 2, patients who continued their alcohol use at the postoperative period had significantly higher novelty seeking scores compared to others (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that it may be possible in the preoperative period to predict the patients who will continue their alcohol use in the postoperative period and take precautions.