Screening for alcohol-related problems in an outpatient obstetric-gynecologic clinic

Three methods of screening for alcohol-related problems were tested in 499 to 565 consecutive patients in an obstetric-gynecologic outpatient clinic. The methods included a 31 item self-administered questionnaire, a six-item physician-administered questionnaire, and a blood alcohol test. Medical records were reviewed for mention of conditions sometimes associated with alcohol use. Sixteen percent of the women were heavy drinkers, and 18% were found on screening to be probable or potential problem drinkers. In women under age 40 years heavy drinking was associated with a higher incidence of physical problems sometimes associated with excessive alcohol use, and significantly lower birth weights were observed in infants born to obstetric patients who were positive on screening for alcohol-related problems.