[Brief questionnaires for the early detection of alcoholism in primary health care]

The utility of two tests for the early detection of alcoholism (CBA and CAGE) is studied in a group of 247 adult patients of both sexes at the primary care environment. For the definition of the "problem drinker case", the Münchner alkoholismus test (MALT) protocol is used as "gold standard". A sensitiveness of 79 and 75% is obtained for the CBA and CAGE respectively, a specifity of 94 and 96%, and predictive positive value of 63 and 73%, with a prevalence of "problematic drinkers" of 12%. Both questionnaires are shown as efficient instruments for the secundary prevention of alcoholism in the primary care consulting rooms.