title: Impulsivity, age of first alcohol use and substance use disorders among male adolescents: a population based case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the association between impulsivity, age of first alcohol consumption (AFD) and substance use disorders (SUD) in a non-clinical sample of adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based case-control study of male adolescents between 15 and 20 years of age nested in a community survey in southern Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cases were drug or alcohol abusers/dependents defined according to DSM-IV abuse/dependence criteria (n = 63). Individuals who had experienced alcohol use but where non-abusers served as controls (n = 355). Cases and controls completed a structured face-to-face interview.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was completed during the original survey and used to identify cases and controls. Impulsivity was measured by means of the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS 11). Self-reported AFD and socio-demographic data were collected and analyzed through logistic regression according to a hierarchical model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Impulsivity and AFD were significantly associated with SUD. Both higher impulsivity [odds ratio (OR) 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-7.8] and earlier AFD (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.3) remained associated with SUD after model adjustments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings from this population-based case-control study suggest that impulsivity and age of first alcoholic drink are associated strongly with alcohol and drug problems. Additionally, impulsivity seems to contribute to a premature exposure to alcohol by hastening the AFD. If the temporal effect of these associations is confirmed in longitudinal designs including broader population groups, our findings may contribute to the development of clinical and policy interventions aiming at reducing the incidence and morbidity associated with substance-related problems among adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. lisiavd@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Lisia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: von Diemen
authors.forename: Diego Garcia
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bassani
authors.forename: Sandra Costa
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Claudia Maciel
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Szobot
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pechansky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012309:Risk-Taking