(045) Assessment of Readiness to Change in Individuals with Alcoholic Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study in Indian Settings

Background: Understanding the factors influencing readiness to change in alcoholic patients is crucial for developing interventions to support successful alcohol cessation. This study could provide valuable insights into the relationship between the patients' readiness to change and the severity of their condition, helping to tailor appropriate treatments and interventions.

Objectives: The study aims to assess the readiness to change in Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) patients using the pre-designed validated questionnaire- The Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES 8A) tool and compare it with the severity of the disease by calculating the MELD Score.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in ALD patients aged more than 18 years. The SOCRATES 8A questionnaire was used to estimate the patients’ attitude towards changes in their alcohol use. Demography, clinical, and treatment parameters were expressed using suitable descriptive statistics. The significant factors (p < 0.05) predicting readiness to change were assessed using univariate, followed by multivariate linear regression analysis. F-test of the multivariate model was performed to analyse the model fit. The whole statistical analysis was carried out using Jamovi version 2.4.5.

Results: A total of 98 patients were included in the study. The average SOCRATES score was 72.3±10.7, and mean MELD score was 17±7.41. During analysis, AKI diagnosis, ALT, ALP, MCV, past ALD history, and T2DM were significant to the recognition score. Past ALD history, tobacco use, globulin, ALT, ALP, eosinophils, basophils, urine WBC, AKI diagnosis, and ALD complications were significant to the ambivalence score. Past ALD history, gutka consumption, AKI diagnosis, serum urea, serum creatinine, ALP, MCV, and LDL were significant to the taking steps score. From the multivariate regression, past T2DM history, ALP and gutka consumption were significant to the recognition, ambivalence score and taking steps scores respectively. The F-tests indicate that all three regression models, focusing on recognition, ambivalence, and taking steps scores, showed significant model fit (p-values < 0.001).

Conclusions: MELD score did not significantly correlate with SOCRATES scores, indicating no direct link between ALD severity and readiness to change. However, T2DM history, ALP level and gutka consumption were significant to recognition score, ambivalence score, and taking steps score respectively.