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At risk drinking among general practice attenders: validation of the CAGE questionnaire

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Michael King*
Affiliation:
From the General Practice Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Michael King, General Practice Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF.

Synopsis

Synopsis The CAGE questionnaire was used to screen for at risk drinking among attenders to an inner London health centre. The CAGE functioned most effectively at a cut-off point of two or more affirmative replies, with a sensitivity of 84%, a specificity of 95% and a positive predictive value of 45%. The usefulness of this instrument for screening in general practice is discussed.

Type
Brief Communication
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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