Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program A Clinical Guide To Assessing Alcohol Use And Problems Andrea DiMartini M.D. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Western Psychiatric Institute Alcohol Medical Scholars Program
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program This Lecture Will Cover: Why this is important What physicians need to know Perceived barriers to screening Effective screening techniques
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Why This Is Important? Alcohol use is common Alcohol problems often missed or undetected
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Alcohol Use Impacts Overall Health Direct toxic effects Systemic effects Biochemical / nutritional Cancer
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Why Should Physicians Care? Alcohol use impacts overall health Treatment issues for general medicine Behaviors are changeable 3 rd leading cause of preventable death
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Gender Genetics Body weight Metabolism Medical illness Pregnancy Prior alcohol use disorder How Much Is Too Much? Depends on risk factors
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Alcohol Use And Disease Number of standard drinks per day Risk for health problems
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Risk Of Alcoholic Cirrhosis Alcohol Cirrhosis Odds Ratio (drinks/day) (%) for Cirrhosis Teetotaler < > > *Bellentani, Tiribelli. 2001
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Assessment Domains Alcohol Use Patterns Alcohol Use Disorders Alcohol Related Health Problems
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Alcohol Use Disorders: Alcohol Abuse If not dependent, 1+ in the same year of repetitive: Failure to fulfill major obligations Physically hazardous Legal problems Social / interpersonal problems
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Alcohol Dependence 3+ in the same year: Tolerance Withdrawal Larger amounts / longer period than intended Attempts to cut down Excessive time spent with alcohol Activities given up due to alcohol Continued use despite problems
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Which Patient Would You Ask?
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Primary Barriers To Asking Issues on Interviewing Assumptions about patient Stigma of alcoholism Uncomfortable asking Afraid to uncover a problem Forgot Think you don’t have the time
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Stages Of Evaluation Screening Assessment Treatment Adapted from Connors, 1995
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Goals Of Screening Screening is not comprehensive Assess for problems Assess for patterns Inform / improve patient treatment plan
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Methods Of Gathering Data Interview Questionnaires Alcohol Use Patterns Alcohol Use Disorders Alcohol Related Health Problems Physical exam Laboratory tests
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Laboratory Tests Can supplement interview May identify health problems Not necessarily specific Sometimes identifies heavy use
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Specific Tests: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGTP) Increased from enzyme induction or liver cell death Normal values (i.e. > 35 IU/L) may indicate heavy use Non-specific For non-medical populations –sensitivity 40-60% –specificity 90%
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Specific Tests: Erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume (MCV) Alcohol is toxic to maturation of red blood cells MCV >98 fL reflects macrocytosis Non-specific For the general population –sensitivity 30-40% –specificity 90%
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Specific Tests: Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) Deglycosylated form of transferrin (liver protein) 6 drinks / day for at least one week CDT can normalize in 2-3 weeks > 6 drinks/day –Sensitivity 60-80% –Specificity 80-90%
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Specific Tests: Blood Alcohol Levels Acute intake (~12-18 hours) Amount and timing of intake and sampling Gas chromatography – very specific Limit of detection <0.01 g/dl
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Physical Exam Physical features (heavy alcohol users) –Elevation in blood pressure –Irregular heart rhythms or tachycardia –Enlarged liver /spleen –Extremities -myopathy, neuropathy Other rarer features
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Signs And Symptoms Of Withdrawal Many do not have withdrawal symptoms Most often symptoms mild to moderate: –Autonomic nervous system hyperactivity –Tremor –Increased reflexes –Gastrointestinal symptoms –Anxiety, irritability, restlessness
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Questionnaires Efficient method of gathering data Self-administered /easy to score Supplements interview Assesses patterns / problems
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Specific Questionnaires CAGE Cut down, Annoyed,Guilt, Eye-opener MAST - 25 items Covers alcohol problems AUDIT – 10 items Covers alcohol problems and patterns
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Interviewing Techniques Initiate the discussion Follow-up on a positive leads Use sensitivity and non-judgmental attitude
Copyright Alcohol Medical Scholars Program Summary Alcohol frequently impacts health and heath care delivery Overcome barriers to screening Assess for problems / patterns of use Utilize effective screening techniques