OBJECTIVE: To compare the SASSI as a screen for substance abuse in pregnancy with the patient history and toxicology screening. STUDY DESIGN: On 560 patients the substance abuse history and urine toxicology was obtained at registration in the prenatal clinic. Each patient also completed the SASSI questionnaire. The SASSI was compared with each screen individually and the result of the SASSI and the patient's history were combined for comparison with the toxicology results. RESULTS: SASSI was found to be more selective as a screen for substance abuse than urine toxicology and it gave a profile of alcohol use which was absent on the toxicology screen. CONCLUSIONS: The SASSI is a more effective clinical tool for identifying substance abuse and more cost effective than toxicology screening.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the SASSI as a screen for substance abuse in pregnancy with the patient history and toxicology screening. STUDY DESIGN: On 560 patients the substance abuse history and urine toxicology was obtained at registration in the prenatal clinic. Each patient also completed the SASSI questionnaire. The SASSI was compared with each screen individually and the result of the SASSI and the patient's history were combined for comparison with the toxicology results. RESULTS: SASSI was found to be more selective as a screen for substance abuse than urine toxicology and it gave a profile of alcohol use which was absent on the toxicology screen. CONCLUSIONS: The SASSI is a more effective clinical tool for identifying substance abuse and more cost effective than toxicology screening.
Authors: Lap Po Lam; Wing Cheong Leung; Patrick Ip; Chun Bong Chow; Mei Fung Chan; Judy Wai Ying Ng; Chu Sing; Ying Hoo Lam; Wing Lai Tony Mak; Kam Ming Chow; Robert Kien Howe Chin Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2015-06-19 Impact factor: 4.379