Subtypes of alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder: a systematic review

To conduct a comprehensive systematic review of alcohol dependence/alcohol use disorder typologies as defined throughout the literature. Review aims to bring together subtypes described throughout the literature, so as to provide an overview/descriptor of current knowledge. Multiple databases (PsychInfo, Embase, PsycArRTICLES, SciELO MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar) were searched from 1990 to February 2020. Included papers were all adult population, highlighted AD/AUD typologies, ICD or DSM AD/AUD diagnosis, in English and peer reviewed. Quality assessed via MMAT. Reported according to PRISMA.
A total of 7,337 papers were identified, after duplicates were removed, 6,108 papers were screened and from this, 203 full texts were assessed for eligibility with data being extracted from 36 papers. Papers reviewed to date include a wide range of variables, ranging from demographics, to consumption variables to DSM/ICD criterion(s). Papers included used a range of different analysis methods ranging from LCA to t-Tests and ANOVAS.
This review aimed to identify some of the most important factors deemed by the authors when subtyping alcohol dependence/alcohol use disorder and future work will include reporting these findings to a population of alcohol dependent adults to decipher if these are the most important factors that should be used when attempting to subtype alcohol dependence. By deciphering these important factors, it may further allow for standardisation which will enhance future research and ensure that service users views are incorporated.