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The prevalence of alcohol dependence syndrome in a rural general hospital in Northern Ireland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Brian G Mangan  and
Diana G Patterson
Brian G Mangan
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health, Whitla Medical Building, Queen's University of Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland
Diana G Patterson
Affiliation:
Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital, 1 Donaghanie Road, Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
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Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of alcohol dependence syndrome in a rural General Hospital. Method: The entire inpatient population of 107 patients was administered the CAGE questionnaire to detect alcohol dependency. Patients scoring two or more (maximum score 4) were diagnosed alcohol dependent. Results: Sixteen patients were unable to complete the questionnaire due to severity of illness or dementia. Of the 91 patients who completed the CAGE questionnaire, 20 scored one or more, and 12 scored two or more, giving a prevalence of probable alcohol dependency in this population of 13%. There were significantly more male alcohol dependent patients than female, 30% vs 2% (p<0.001). Fifty percent of the patients who scored on the CAGE as alcohol dependent were not recognised by medical staff as being problem drinkers. All of the alcohol dependent patients came from the medical and surgical units including Ear, Nose and Throat surgical unit (ENT). Conclusion: Administration of the CAGE questionnaire to all medical and surgical admissions seems to be one of the most economical way of detecting alcohol dependency and engaging patients in treatment as early as possible.

Keywords

General hospitalAlcohol dependence syndromeCAGE
Type
Clinical and Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , June 1994 , pp. 73 - 75
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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