BACKGROUND: Alcohol screening with the 3-item alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT-C) has been implemented throughout the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Validation of the AUDIT-C, however, has been conducted with samples of primarily older veterans. This study examined the diagnostic efficiency of the AUDIT-C in a younger cohort of veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). METHODS: Veteran participants (N=1775) completed the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and underwent the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV-TR for Axis I disorders (SCID) in research settings within four VA medical Centers. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) measured the effiency of the full AUDIT and AUDIT-C in identifying SCID-based diagnoses of past year alcohol abuse or dependence. RESULTS: Both measures performed well in detecting alcohol use disorders. In the full sample, the AUDIT had a better AUC (.908; .881-.935) than the AUDIT-C (.859; .826-.893; p<.0001). It is notable that this same result was found among men but not women, perhaps due to reduced power. Diagnostic efficiency statistics for the AUDIT and AUDIT-C were consistent with results from older veteran samples. The diagnostic efficiency of both measures did not vary with race or age. CONCLUSIONS: Both the AUDIT and AUDIT-C appear to be valid instruments for identifying alcohol abuse or dependence among the most recent cohort of U.S. veterans with service during OEF/OIF within research settings. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
BACKGROUND:Alcohol screening with the 3-item alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT-C) has been implemented throughout the U.S. Veterans Health Administration. Validation of the AUDIT-C, however, has been conducted with samples of primarily older veterans. This study examined the diagnostic efficiency of the AUDIT-C in a younger cohort of veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). METHODS: Veteran participants (N=1775) completed the alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) and underwent the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV-TR for Axis I disorders (SCID) in research settings within four VA medical Centers. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) measured the effiency of the full AUDIT and AUDIT-C in identifying SCID-based diagnoses of past year alcohol abuse or dependence. RESULTS: Both measures performed well in detecting alcohol use disorders. In the full sample, the AUDIT had a better AUC (.908; .881-.935) than the AUDIT-C (.859; .826-.893; p<.0001). It is notable that this same result was found among men but not women, perhaps due to reduced power. Diagnostic efficiency statistics for the AUDIT and AUDIT-C were consistent with results from older veteran samples. The diagnostic efficiency of both measures did not vary with race or age. CONCLUSIONS: Both the AUDIT and AUDIT-C appear to be valid instruments for identifying alcohol abuse or dependence among the most recent cohort of U.S. veterans with service during OEF/OIF within research settings. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alcohol use disorders; Alcohol use disorders identification test; Diagnostic efficiency; Military veterans; OEF/OIF
Authors: Chiao-Wen Lan; David A Fiellin; Declan T Barry; Kendall J Bryant; Adam J Gordon; E Jennifer Edelman; Julie R Gaither; Stephen A Maisto; Brandon D L Marshall Journal: Am J Addict Date: 2015-12-22
Authors: Patrick S Calhoun; Sarah M Wilson; Terrell A Hicks; Shaun P Thomas; Eric A Dedert; Lauren P Hair; Lori A Bastian; Jean C Beckham Journal: J Racial Ethn Health Disparities Date: 2016-09-15
Authors: Patrick S Calhoun; Amie R Schry; H Ryan Wagner; Nathan A Kimbrel; Paul Dennis; Scott D McDonald; Jean C Beckham; Eric A Dedert; Harold Kudler; Kristy Straits-Troster Journal: Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse Date: 2015-07-08 Impact factor: 3.829
Authors: Mary Jo Larson; Beth A Mohr; Rachel Sayko Adams; Nikki R Wooten; Thomas V Williams Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2014-06-12 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Patrick S Calhoun; Santanu Datta; Maren Olsen; Valerie A Smith; Scott D Moore; Lauren P Hair; Eric A Dedert; Angela Kirby; Michelle Dennis; Jean C Beckham; Lori A Bastian Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Date: 2016-06-17