THE USE OF THE CAGE QUESTIONNAIRE TO ASSESS ALCOHOL-ABUSE AMONG SPINAL-CORD INJURY PERSONS

Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) in contrast to persons without a disability are at greater risk for alcohol abuse because they often f ace physical and psychological difficulties that include sensory impai rment, pain, depression and reduced opportunities to participate activ ely in society. This study investigated the use of a screening questio nnaire, the CAGE (an acronym for Cut, Annoyed, Guilty and Eye Opener), to assess potential alcohol abuse among persons with SCI during their inpatient rehabilitation program. A second purpose was to examine the relationship between subjects responses to the CAGE questionnaire and their histories of alcohol and substance abuse, as reported in their medical charts. Thirdly, the associations of potential alcohol abuse w ith subject's chronological age, and with their physicians' assessed p ost-discharge medical complications were examined also. CAGE scores we re found to be significantly correlated with previous history of subst ance abuse and self-reported average number of drinks consumed prior t o injury. Age was not found to be correlated with CAGE scores. Subject s with higher mean CAGE scores during hospitalization also had a highe r prevalence of post-discharge medical complications. These findings s uggest the importance of rehabilitation professionals assessing potent ial alcohol abuse among persons with SCI during inpatient rehabilitati on in order to prevent complications after discharge.