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Validation of the AUDIT and AUDIT-C for Hazardous Drinking in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Yannic van Gils

    (Faculty of Medicine and Social Science, Centre for Research and Innovation in Care (CRIC), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
    Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Elsene, Belgium)

  • Erik Franck

    (Faculty of Medicine and Social Science, Centre for Research and Innovation in Care (CRIC), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium)

  • Eva Dierckx

    (Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Elsene, Belgium
    Alexianen Zorggroep Tienen, Psychiatric Hospital, Liefdestraat 10, 3300 Tienen, Belgium)

  • Sebastiaan P. J. van Alphen

    (Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Elsene, Belgium
    Clinical Centre of Excellence for Personality Disorders in Older Adults, Mondriaan Hospital, J.F. Kennedylaan, 301, 6419 XZ Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands
    Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037 AB Tilburg, The Netherlands)

  • John B. Saunders

    (National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia)

  • Geert Dom

    (Faculty of Medicine and Social Science, Centre for Research and Innovation in Care (CRIC), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
    Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute (CAPRI), Faculty of Medicine and Social Science, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium)

Abstract

Background: One of the best-known tools in screening for hazardous drinking is the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and its abbreviated form, the AUDIT-C. The aim of the present study is to determine the cut-offs of both instruments in identifying hazardous drinking in older adults. Method: A sample of 1577 older adults completed a questionnaire regarding alcohol behavior. Hazardous drinking was defined as drinking >10 units/week. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves of AUDIT and AUDIT-C were calculated and cut-off scores were derived. Results: Respectively 27.3% and 12.3% of older men and women drank >10 units/week. For the AUDIT the best trade-off between sensitivity and specificity was using a cut-off of ≥5 for men and ≥4 for women, which yielded in men sensitivity and specificity values respectively of 80.7% and 81.3% and in women 100% and 71.7%, respectively. We found the AUDIT-C to perform well with an optimal cut-off of ≥5 for men and ≥4 for women, which generated in men sensitivity and specificity values respectively of 76.5% and 85.3% and in women 100% and 74.1%, respectively. Conclusion: The AUDIT-C is accurate and sufficient in screening for hazardous drinking in community-dwelling older adults if the cut-offs are tailored by gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Yannic van Gils & Erik Franck & Eva Dierckx & Sebastiaan P. J. van Alphen & John B. Saunders & Geert Dom, 2021. "Validation of the AUDIT and AUDIT-C for Hazardous Drinking in Community-Dwelling Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9266-:d:627759
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