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Detecting young adults with alcohol use disorder in a general practice
The New Zealand Medical Journal
|April 11, 1997
Summary
This study found that both screening and clinical assessments identified alcohol use disorder in young adults. Screening was more effective for women, while many men remained undetected, highlighting a need for improved detection strategies.
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health concern, particularly in young adults.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing AUD and its associated health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of alcohol use disorder in general practice patients aged 18-29 years over a five-year period.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of clinical assessment and screening methods in detecting AUD in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of patient notes for 339 individuals aged 18-29 years over five years.
- Information on alcohol use was collected via clinical assessment or targeted health screening, including consumption questions and liver function tests.
Main Results:
- Alcohol use information was recorded for 70% of patients; screening identified AUD in 16% of assessed men and 6% of assessed women.
- Screening was more successful in women (83% recorded use) linked to other checks, while men (59% recorded use) were often screened opportunistically.
- Nearly half of identified AUD cases were detected through the screening program.
Conclusions:
- Both clinical and screening approaches contribute to AUD identification in young adults.
- Current screening methods are more effective for women than men, necessitating strategies to improve male detection rates.