Alcohol screening scores predict risk of subsequent fractures

Subst Use Misuse. 2009;44(8):1055-69. doi: 10.1080/10826080802485972.

Abstract

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C; 0-12 points) was included on health surveys in a cohort of 32,622 general medicine outpatients from seven US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the risk of fracture (mean follow-up = 1.6 years) by AUDIT-C category. After adjusting for confounders, AUDIT-C scores of 8-9 and 10-12 were associated with significantly increased risks for subsequent fractures, HR (95% CI) = 1.37 (1.03 to 1.83) and 1.79 (1.38 to 2.33) respectively. These results can be used to provide feedback to patients linking their alcohol screening scores to medical outcomes-a critical component of evidence-based brief counseling for alcohol misuse. The study's limitations are noted.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alcoholism / complications*
  • Alcoholism / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / epidemiology*
  • Fractures, Bone / etiology
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening* / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult