title: Comparing two different methods of identifying alcohol related problems in the emergency department: a real chance to intervene?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the feasibility of screening for alcohol problems in a representative flow sample of patients attending a busy UK emergency department. To compare two methods of identifying alcohol related problems in the emergency department.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brief interview administered by the same interviewer to a representative flow sample of 429 patients attending a single accident and emergency department over a six week period. Measures included a CAGE questionnaire and assessments by the patient and staff as to whether the attendance was alcohol related.
  
  
  RESULTS
  413 patients (96%) were successfully screened. Of these, 115 (28%) patients were considered to have an alcohol related attendance on the basis of the CAGE questionnaire or the staff assessment. Head injuries and psychiatric presentations were particularly likely to be associated with alcohol misuse. Compared with those identified by staff, patients scoring above threshold on the CAGE were more likely to attend during routine working hours and recognise they had an alcohol problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emergency departments may provide an opportunity for the early prevention of alcohol related difficulties. However, patients with alcohol problems who present to the emergency department are not a homogenous group. Different screening methods identify different groups of patients, who in turn may respond to different forms of intervention. Further research examining the efficacy and feasibility of different alcohol treatment approaches is needed to enable us to target specific interventions to those patients who might most benefit.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Manchester Royal Infirmary, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hadida
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Kapur
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Mackway-Jones
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Guthrie
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Creed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004739:England; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010552:Personality Assessment; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology