PREVALENCE OF ALCOHOL-PROBLEMS IN GENERAL-PRACTICE - AN EXPERIENCE FROM SOUTHERN ITALY

The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and the response to a qu estion about heavy alcohol consumption were used to assess the prevale nce of alcohol problems in consecutive patients (77 males and -16 fema les) consulting a general practitioner in an urban area in the South o f Italy (Castellammare di Stabia). Alcohol problems. which were define d by a cut-off score of 5 on the MAST and/or by heavy alcohol consumpt ion (corresponding to at least 60 g of ethanol daily for males and 36 g of ethanol daily for females for at least 2 years). were identified in 54 patients [43.9%, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 35.0-53.1%]. 45 ma les (58.4%:95% CI 46.6-69%) and nine females (19.6%: 95% CI 9.4-33.9%) . The prevalence of MAST positive patients was 32.5% (95% CI 24.4-41.6 %) in the total patient sample. 45.5%; (95% CI 34.1-57.2%) among males and 10.9% (95% CI 3.6-23.6%) among females. The question about heavy alcohol consumption had a predictive negative value of 97.2% (95% CI 9 0.2-99.7%) and a predictive positive value of 73.1% (95% CI 59.0-84.4% ) in relation to MAST positive patients. It is suggested that general practitioners should incorporate this question about heavy alcohol con sumption as a screening question in order to detect alcohol problems a nd give advice regarding reduction of alcohol consumption.