Comparison of CAGE questionnaire and computer-assisted laboratory profiles in screening for covert alcoholism.
To identify the most effective method of screening for covert alcoholism Ewing's CAGE questionnaire was compared with several computer-assisted laboratory data profiles in a prospectively gathered, random sample of 915 adults admitted to a general hospital. Whether a subject was alcohol dependent (n = 244) or not (n = 671), as defined by DSM-III-R, was determined on the basis of a structured interview. The CAGE questionnaire was highly sensitive (76%) and specific (94%) for recognition of alcohol dependence (positive predictive power 87%). None of the discriminant laboratory functions gave recognition rates greater than chance alone. Until the sensitivities, specificities, and positive predictive powers of computer-assisted methods improve, brief interview alone remains the best screening method for general hospital populations.
Beresford
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Alcohol Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Blow
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Hill
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Singer
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Lucey
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D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006400:Hematocrit; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D012964:Sodium; D014527:Uric Acid