Screening for Drinking Problems in the Elderly in Singapore Using the CAGE Questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
Given that past research on drinking problems has focused primarily on younger samples, the present study sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of alcohol use among the elderly in Singapore.


METHODS
Data were extracted from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study, a cross-sectional, epidemiological survey conducted among a nationally representative sample of Singapore residents (n = 2565) aged 60 years and above. Variables assessed include drinking problems, depression and anxiety symptoms, obesity, smoking status, chronic physical disorders and disability.


RESULTS
The weighted prevalence of drinking problems (CAGE score ≥2) in our sample was 4.2%. Male sex, Indian ethnicity, and being divorced or separated were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of drinking problems. Participants with drinking problems were also more likely to have subthreshold depression. There were no significant differences in disability among those with drinking problems, those without drinking problems and non-drinkers, after adjusting for demographic variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings contribute to the body of research that indicates an association between drinking problems and depressive symptoms among the elderly. Thus, screening for depressive symptoms in the elderly with drinking problems may be useful in identifying such comorbidities in order to aid treatment planning.
Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore.
Clarissa Wy
CW
Ong
Vathsala
V
Sagayadevan
Edimansyah
E
Abdin
Saleha Binte
SB
Shafie
Anitha
A
Jeyagurunathan
Goi Khia
GK
Eng
Louisa
L
Picco
Janhavi
J
Vaingankar
Siow Ann
SA
Chong
Mythily
M
Subramaniam
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004243:Divorce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires