VALIDITY OF THE CAGE QUESTIONNAIRE IN SCREENING FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE IN A WALK-IN (TRIAGE) CLINIC

Objective: This study assessed the value of the CAGE questionnaire in detecting alcohol dependence in the walk-in (triage) clinic of an acut e care Veterans Affairs hospital. Method: Male veterans (N = 1,667) at tending the walk-in clinic were asked several questions relating to wh ether they were current drinkers, were seeking alcohol treatment, and whether they had been hospitalized for treatment of alcoholism. Those who were current drinkers, were not seeking alcohol treatment and had not been hospitalized for alcohol treatment were given the CAGE questi onnaire followed by a diagnostic interview utilizing DSM III-R criteri a to determine the presence or absence of a lifetime diagnosis of alco hol dependence. Results: The diagnostic interview revealed a prevalenc e rate for alcoholism of 22% in this clinic population. The CAGE scale , when used with one or more yes responses indicating a positive respo nse, achieved a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 93% when using t he diagnostic interview as the criterion standard. Conclusions: This s tudy adds to the evidence that the CAGE questionnaire is an effective, efficient, easily used screening instrument for the detection of alco hol dependence in a clinical setting.