College students' drinking patterns: trajectories of AUDIT scores during the first four years at university.
OBJECTIVE
Changes in AUDIT score trajectories were examined in a student population during their first 4 years at a university, including high-risk consumers and a subsample of low-risk consumers.


METHODS
359 students were selected for the present study, comprising all high-risk consumers (the 27% with highest scores, i.e. 11 for males and 7 for females) and a randomized sample of low-risk consumers (n = 177 and 182, respectively). The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) was used as screening instrument. Trajectory analyses were made using a semiparametric group-based model.


RESULTS
In the low-AUDIT group, five distinct trajectories were identified: three stable non-risky consumption groups (83%) and two increasing groups (17%; from non-risky to risky). In the high-AUDIT group, three groups were identified: two stable high groups (58%) and one decreasing group (from risky to non-risky consumption; 41%). In the integrated model, stable risky consumption comprised 16% of the total sample, decreasing consumption 11%, increasing consumption comprised 13% and stable non-risky consumption 60% of the sample. Gender influenced the trajectories.


CONCLUSIONS
The pattern of changes in risk consumption is similar to that found in corresponding US studies.
Johnsson
Kent O
KO
Clinical Alcohol Research, Lund University, Malmo University Hospital, Malmo, Sweden. kent.johnsson@med.lu.se
Leifman
Anders
A
Berglund
Mats
M
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities / Q000639:trends