Quality of Life and Physical Status Among Individuals with Alcohol Dependence Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

We examined changes in psychological and physical status among individuals with alcohol dependence before, during, and after the COVID 19 pandemic, aiming to identify factors related to quality of life (QOL) and hepatic reserve. We conducted a retrospective repeated cross-sectional study of patients admitted between 2019 and 2024. Psychological status was assessed using the WHO QOL26 questionnaire, and physical status was assessed using the albumin-bilirubin score. Univariate analyses showed higher CIWA-Ar scores in 2022 than in 2019, and lower QOL in 2020. Multivariable analyses indicated that age, employment, and cohabitation were independently associated with QOL, while age and fiscal year were associated with albumin-bilirubin scores. These findings suggest that individual social and clinical characteristics may have a greater influence on QOL than the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic itself. Although modest temporal variation was observed in physical status, the findings highlight the importance of maintaining psychosocial support and social connectedness for individuals with alcohol dependence, regardless of broader societal disruptions. Our findings underscore the need for long term monitoring and flexible support strategies, including virtual care.