An evaluation of two primary care interventions for alcohol abuse among Mexican-American patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of two primary care interventions (a physician intervention and a clinic-based psychoeducational group) on drinking patterns, psychosocial problems and blood test results (MCV, GGT, SGOT and SGPT).


METHODS
Subjects were randomized into one of four treatment groups: physician intervention, psychoeducation, both interventions, or no intervention. Follow-up data were collected at 12 and 18 months.


METHODS
Subjects were recruited from a family practice outpatient clinic managed by a public hospital.


METHODS
Included 175 Mexican-American female and male primary care patients who screened positive for alcohol abuse or dependence. These patients were not seeking help for alcohol problems.


METHODS
Included a brief physician intervention and a 6-week patient psychoeducational group.


METHODS
The Diagnostic Interview Schedule assessed subjects for alcohol abuse; the Addiction Severity Index measured alcohol-related problems, including psychosocial issues.


RESULTS
All four treatment groups demonstrated significant improvement over time, with few differences between intervention and control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessment can be confounded with brief interventions; future investigators should use non-assessed control groups.
Burge
S K
SK
Department of Family Practice, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284, USA.
Amodei
N
N
Elkin
B
B
Catala
S
S
Andrew
S R
SR
Lane
P A
PA
Seale
J P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013781:Texas