Harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption in elderly visiting primary contact physicians. Comparison of screening instruments

Harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption in elderly visiting primary contact physicians. Comparison of screening instruments (S.L. Plavinski, A.N. Barinova, O.Yu. Kuznetsova, P.N Trofimov, S.G. Boyarski, S.L. Tchicherina, L.N. Degtyareva)
North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov, St. Petersburg, Russia
First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov, St. Petersburg, Russia

Federal Center of Heart, blood and Endocrinology named after V.A.Almazov, St. Petersburg, Russia

The analysis of prevalence of harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption by persons above 60 years in comparison with younger cohort was undertaken. 431 persons were screened by AUDIT and CAGE questionnaire, consumption diaries, Beck depression scale, skin signs of alcohol consumption. It was found that abstinence/reasonable consumption is rare among older persons visiting physicians. Only 21,7% (95% CI = 0,0-43,4%) of males and 14,3% 35,9% (95% CI = 15,8-56,1%) of females were in that group in contrast to almost half in younger cohort. In older persons CAGE has Youden index of 0,79 comparing with AUDIT’s 0,57. In younger cohort corresponding numbers were 0,68 and 0,71. It is recommended to screen those above 60 with CAGE questionnaire and look for physical symptoms and signs of alcohol abuse.

Keywords: Harmful and hazardous alcohol consumption, AUDIT, CAGE, test reliability, test agreement.

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