HORSE trial

Rationale: Development of veisalgia, or hangover, is a frequent event after a night of drinking. Hangovers are typically characterized by headache, nausea and diminished feeling of general well-being. Next to personal disadvantages, it has been suggested that the economical consequences of hangovers are severe. Several studies investigated possible pathogenic mechanisms for hangovers. Of these mechanisms, dehydration is an accepted cause for a hangover. Alcohol inhibits release of anti-diuretic hormone what leads to dehydration. The correlation between alcohol intake and dehydration is observed in several studies. ORS, Oral Rehydration Solution is a reliable treatment for dehydration. The link between ORS and relieve of veisalgia has been suggested by several sources, although evidence was never generated.

Objective: This trial should provide evidence for reduced symptoms of veisalgia after preventive intake of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) after drinking alcoholic beverages.

Study design: Randomized placebo controlled double-blind intervention study.

Study population: 200 healthy volunteers age 18 – 65.

Intervention: Volunteers are asked to participate prior to engaging in a social event. When leaving the event, participants will consume ORS or placebo. The next day, all subjects are asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning veisalgia, an adapted version of the Acute Hang Over Scale.

Main study parameters/endpoints: Main study parameter is the subjective feeling of well being as evaluated by the questionnaire. Secondary parameter is the influence of alcohol intake on severity of veisalgia.

The correlation between alcohol intake and dehydration is observed in several studies. ORS, Oral Rehydration Solution is a reliable treatment for dehydration. The link between ORS and relieve of veisalgia has been suggested by several sources, although evidence was never generated.

1 time point the morning after the intervention

Volunteers are asked to participate prior to engaging in a social event. When leaving the event, participants will consume ORS or placebo. The next day, all subjects are asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning veisalgia, an adapted version of the Acute Hang Over Scale.