The detection of alcoholism in a general population by using the Cage test
Fonseca del Pozo, F.J.; Pérula de Torres, L.A.; Martínez de la Iglesia, J.
Atencion Primaria 11(8): 393-394; 396 398-399
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-6567 PMID: 8494959 Document Number: 405715
To identify people with alcohol-related problems and assess the variable socio-demographic indicators of the population under study. Crossover and observational study. The "Occidente" Basic Health Area in Córdoba. A representative sample of those people over 15 registered in the Health Area mentioned above. (Systematic random sampling: n = 384). 72% of those interviewed stated that they had consumed some kind of alcoholic drink during the previous year. 35% did so at least once a week. 6.2% +/- 2.35 showed positive on the CAGE Test, most of these being: male (p < 0.001), living in a deprived area (p < 0.01), people in work (p < 0.001) and smokers (p < 0.001). Those testing CAGE (+) included a higher number of people with: hepatitis, cirrhosis, diarrhea and gastritis, although their use of health services was no different from that of the population as a whole. Logistic regression analysis enabled us to establish variable indicators of the CAGE Test (+). Alcohol-related problems were identified basically in a typical population group. It is important to set up intervention mechanisms to tackle the problem.