The Tromsø Study: identification of and a controlled intervention on a population of early-stage risk drinkers

In a health survey of more than 21,000 men and women ages 12-62 years, measurement of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and answers on five questions on alcohol consumption were used as a basis for selecting an intervention population of early-stage risk drinkers. Altogether 290 men and 48 women met the criteria for inclusion.

The 338 subjects were randomized to a control group and two intervention groups. The minor intervention consisted of a single consultation during which possible reasons for the elevated GGT were discussed and a pamphlet with advice on changes in drinking habits was handed out. In the major intervention group the intervention was directed more specifically toward alcohol, with an extensive interview on drinking habits. In addition, the subjects in this group were offered follow-up consultations for new measurements of GGT.

All three groups were examined after 1 year with GGT determination and an interview on change in drinking habits during the past year. At follow-up, significant decreases in mean GGT (26.5 U/liter) and self-reported alcohol intake (24.7 g/day) were observed in the intervention groups compared with the control group. No significant differences were, however, observed between the intervention groups.

The study indicates that modest and simple interventions may yield important changes in drinking habits in early-stage risk drinkers.