title: Assessment of alcohol consumption and alcoholism in the elderly.
abstract: This study evaluates characteristics associated with alcohol consumption or alcohol-related problems in an elderly population, as detected by CAGE questionnaire and self-reported alcohol intake respectively. Data were obtained from a multidimensional study carried out in a community-dwelling population aged 70-75 (n = 1205, 389 males and 816 females) living in the city center of Brescia, in northern Italy. All information was gathered by self-report. Male gender, better mood, daily function, somatic health, not living alone, and being married were significantly associated with self-reported alcohol consumption. Male gender, poorer cognitive function, and income dissatisfaction were significantly associated with alcohol problems as detected by CAGE. Data suggest that self-report of alcohol intake, though intrinsically loaded with imperfect internal consistency, does not necessarily indicate risk of alcoholism; on the contrary, it can reveal the positive psychological attitude of the drinking habit. CAGE questionnaire, which is sensitive to alcohol related problems, is associated with poor psychosocial conditions.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Group, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Geroldi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rozzini
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Frisoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trabucchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics