The CAGE Questionnaire: Validation of a New Alcoholism Screening Instrument

¹ Chief, Psychiatry Service, Veterans Administration Hospital, Providence, R.I. 02908, and Professor of Psychiatry, Brown University Program in Medicine, Providence

The CAGE questionnaire, a new brief alcoholism screening test, was administered to all patients (N = 366; 39 percent alcoholic) admitted to a psychiatric service over a one-year period. The authors indicate that the CAGE questionnaire is not a sensitive alcoholism detector if a four-item positive response is the criterion; however, if a two- or three-item criterion is used, it becomes a viable rapid alcoholism screening techniquefor large groups.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S.-I Wu, H.-C. Huang, S.-I. Liu, C.-R. Huang, F.-J. Sun, T.-Y. Chang, S.-C. Shih, and K.-S. Jeng Validation and Comparison of Alcohol-Screening Instruments for Identifying Hazardous Drinking in Hospitalized Patients in Taiwan Alcohol Alcohol., May 8, 2008; (2008) agn036v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. KaaRIainen, M. Aalto, M. KaaRIainen, and K. Seppa Audit Questionnaire as part of Community Action Against Heavy Drinking Alcohol Alcohol., April 24, 2008; (2008) agn028v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Badrick, M. Bobak, A. Britton, C. Kirschbaum, M. Marmot, and M. Kumari The Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Cortisol Secretion in an Aging Cohort J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., March 1, 2008; 93(3): 750 - 757. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. A. Boothroyd, T. D. Rocca, and Huey Jen Chen Predictors of Enrollees' Satisfaction With a County-Sponsored Indigent Health Care Plan Eval Health Prof, March 1, 2008; 31(1): 81 - 103. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. H. Bair-Merritt, S. S. Crowne, L. Burrell, D. Caldera, T. L. Cheng, and A. K. Duggan Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Children's Well-Child Care and Medical Home Pediatrics, March 1, 2008; 121(3): e473 - e480. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Pomerleau, M. McKee, R. Rose, C. W. Haerpfer, D. Rotman, and S. Tumanov Hazardous Alcohol Drinking in the Former Soviet Union: A Cross-Sectional Study of Eight Countries Alcohol Alcohol., February 3, 2008; (2008) agm167v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. A. Baltieri and A. G. de Andrade Drug Consumption Among Sexual Offenders Against Females Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol, February 1, 2008; 52(1): 62 - 80. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. B. Cadzow, T. J. Servoss, and C. H. Fox The Health Status of Patients of a Student-Run Free Medical Clinic in Inner-City Buffalo, NY J Am Board Fam Med, November 1, 2007; 20(6): 572 - 580. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Boyd, C. Boult, E. Shadmi, B. Leff, R. Brager, L. Dunbar, J. L. Wolff, and S. Wegener Guided Care for Multimorbid Older Adults: Kathleen Walsh Piercy, PhD, Editor Gerontologist, October 1, 2007; 47(5): 697 - 704. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Schootman, E. M. Andresen, F. D. Wolinsky, T. K. Malmstrom, J. P. Miller, Y. Yan, and D. K. Miller The Effect of Adverse Housing and Neighborhood Conditions on the Development of Diabetes Mellitus among Middle-aged African Americans Am. J. Epidemiol., August 15, 2007; 166(4): 379 - 387. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Hahn, M. Maier, J. Byakika-Tusiime, J. H. Oyugi, and D. R. Bangsberg Hepatotoxicity During Nevirapine-Based Fixed-Dose Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in Kampala, Uganda J Int Assoc Physicians AIDS Care (Chic Ill), June 1, 2007; 6(2): 83 - 86. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Schootman, E. M Andresen, F. D Wolinsky, T. K Malmstrom, J P. Miller, and D. K Miller Neighbourhood environment and the incidence of depressive symptoms among middle-aged African Americans J. Epidemiol. Community Health, June 1, 2007; 61(6): 527 - 532. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Lang, R. B. Wallace, F. A. Huppert, and D. Melzer Moderate alcohol consumption in older adults is associated with better cognition and well-being than abstinence Age Ageing, May 1, 2007; 36(3): 256 - 261. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-D. Kim, S.-C. Hong, C.-I. Lee, Y.-S. Kwak, T.-K. Shin, Y.-H. Jang, E.-H. Oh, J.-W. Lee, B.-H. Jeon, and S.-E. Hwang Prevalence of depression and correlates of depressive symptoms for residents in the urban part of Jeju Island, Korea. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, March 1, 2007; 53(2): 123 - 134. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. D. Saur, D. C. Steffens, L. H. Harpole, M.-Y. Fan, E. Z. Oddone, and J. Unutzer Satisfaction and Outcomes of Depressed Older Adults With Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialists in Primary Care Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, February 1, 2007; 13(1): 62 - 70. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Goldberg, A. Leclerc, S. Bonenfant, J. F. Chastang, A. Schmaus, N. Kaniewski, and M. Zins Cohort profile: the GAZEL Cohort Study Int. J. Epidemiol., February 1, 2007; 36(1): 32 - 39. [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. W. Bennett, C. Stoops, C. Call, and H. Flett Program Completion and Re-Arrest in a Batterer Intervention System Research on Social Work Practice, January 1, 2007; 17(1): 42 - 54. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. J. Bartsch, G. Homola, A. Biller, S. M. Smith, H.-G. Weijers, G. A. Wiesbeck, M. Jenkinson, N. D. Stefano, L. Solymosi, and M. Bendszus Manifestations of early brain recovery associated with abstinence from alcoholism Brain, January 1, 2007; 130(1): 36 - 47. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Lobo, P. De Jonge, F. J. Huyse, J. P.J. Slaets, M.-J. Rabanaque, and A. Lobo Early Detection of Pneumology Inpatients at Risk of Extended Hospital Stay and Need for Psychosocial Treatment Psychosom Med, January 1, 2007; 69(1): 99 - 105. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Chamelian and A. Feinstein The Effect of Major Depression on Subjective and Objective Cognitive Deficits in Mild to Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, December 1, 2006; 18(1): 33 - 38. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Walker, D. J. Vidrine, E. R. Gritz, R. J. Larsen, Y. Yan, R. Govindan, and E. B. Fisher Smoking Relapse during the First Year after Treatment for Early-Stage Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., December 1, 2006; 15(12): 2370 - 2377. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. G. Flaherty, R. Thompson, A. J. Litrownik, A. Theodore, D. J. English, M. M. Black, T. Wike, L. Whimper, D. K. Runyan, and H. Dubowitz Effect of Early Childhood Adversity on Child Health Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, December 1, 2006; 160(12): 1232 - 1238. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Isralowitz, A. Reznik, and S. Borkin Late-life benzodiazepine use among Russian-speaking immigrants in Israel. Gerontologist, October 1, 2006; 46(5): 677 - 679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. N Lessov-Schlaggar, Z. Pang, G. E Swan, Q. Guo, S. Wang, W. Cao, J. B Unger, C A. Johnson, and L. Lee Heritability of cigarette smoking and alcohol use in Chinese male twins: the Qingdao twin registry Int. J. Epidemiol., October 1, 2006; 35(5): 1278 - 1285. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. D. Kohatsu, R. Tsai, T. Young, R. VanGilder, L. F. Burmeister, A. M. Stromquist, and J. A. Merchant Sleep duration and body mass index in a rural population. Arch Intern Med, September 18, 2006; 166(16): 1701 - 1705. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A. Bamberger and S. B. Bacharach Abusive supervision and subordinate problem drinking: Taking resistance, stress and subordinate personality into account Human Relations, June 1, 2006; 59(6): 723 - 752. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. M. Nyamathi, E. L. Dixon, D. Wiley, A. Christiani, and A. Lowe Hepatitis C virus infection among homeless men referred from a community clinic. West J Nurs Res, June 1, 2006; 28(4): 475 - 488. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A.H. Conason, A. Brunstein Klomek, and L. Sher Recognizing alcohol and drug abuse in patients with eating disorders QJM, May 1, 2006; 99(5): 335 - 339. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. GUERRINI, C. GENTILI, and M. GUAZZELLI ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND HEAVY DRINKING: A SURVEY IN THREE ITALIAN VILLAGES Alcohol Alcohol., May 1, 2006; 41(3): 336 - 340. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Svensson, E. Lindberg, T. Naessen, and C. Janson Risk factors associated with snoring in women with special emphasis on body mass index: a population-based study. Chest, April 1, 2006; 129(4): 933 - 941. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Schootman, E. M. Andresen, F. D. Wolinsky, T. K. Malmstrom, J. P. Miller, and D. K. Miller Neighborhood Conditions and Risk of Incident Lower-Body Functional Limitations among Middle-aged African Americans Am. J. Epidemiol., March 1, 2006; 163(5): 450 - 458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Swanson, M. Swartz, J. Ferron, E. Elbogen, and R. Van Dorn Psychiatric advance directives among public mental health consumers in five u.s. Cities: prevalence, demand, and correlates. J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, January 1, 2006; 34(1): 43 - 57. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Gilchrist and D. S. Morrison Prevalence of alcohol related brain damage among homeless hostel dwellers in Glasgow Eur J Public Health, December 1, 2005; 15(6): 587 - 588. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C Peek-Asa, V Allareddy, J Yang, C Taylor, J Lundell, and C Zwerling When one is not enough: prevalence and characteristics of homes not adequately protected by smoke alarms Inj. Prev., December 1, 2005; 11(6): 364 - 368. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. C. Schulberg, P. W. Lee, M. L. Bruce, P. J. Raue, J. J. Lefever, J. W. Williams Jr, A. J. Dietrich, and P. A. Nutting Suicidal Ideation and Risk Levels Among Primary Care Patients With Uncomplicated Depression Ann. Fam. Med, November 1, 2005; 3(6): 523 - 528. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. T. LIMA, A. C. C. FREIRE, A. P. B. SILVA, R. M. TEIXEIRA, M. FARRELL, and M. PRINCE CONCURRENT AND CONSTRUCT VALIDITY OF THE AUDIT IN AN URBAN BRAZILIAN SAMPLE Alcohol Alcohol., November 1, 2005; 40(6): 584 - 589. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Wolf, J. A. Gazmararian, and D. W. Baker Health Literacy and Functional Health Status Among Older Adults Arch Intern Med, September 26, 2005; 165(17): 1946 - 1952. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. DE BRUIJN, W. VAN DEN BRINK, R. DE GRAAF, and W. A. M. VOLLEBERGH ALCOHOL ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE CRITERIA AS PREDICTORS OF A CHRONIC COURSE OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDERS IN THE GENERAL POPULATION Alcohol Alcohol., September 1, 2005; 40(5): 441 - 446. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A. Bamberger Work-Based Critical Incidents and Problem Drinking: Taking Intrusive Reactions, Traumatic Distress, and the Kindling Effect Into Account Work and Occupations, August 1, 2005; 32(3): 257 - 289. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. M. Warthan, T. Uchida, and R. F. Wagner Jr UV Light Tanning as a Type of Substance-Related Disorder Arch Dermatol, August 1, 2005; 141(8): 963 - 966. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C Peek-Asa, C Zwerling, T Young, A M Stromquist, L F Burmeister, and J A Merchant A population based study of reporting patterns and characteristics of men who abuse their female partners Inj. Prev., June 1, 2005; 11(3): 180 - 185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. E. Stump, P. Monahan, and C. A. Mchorney Differential Item Functioning in the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire Research on Aging, May 1, 2005; 27(3): 355 - 384. [Abstract] [PDF]

				F. A. Smith, J. Querques, J. L. Levenson, and T. A. Stern Psychiatric Assessment and Consultation Focus, April 1, 2005; 3(2): 241 - 251. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. C. Campbell, N. G. Hoffmann, T. D. Hoffmann, and J. A. Gillaspy Uncope: A Screen for Substance Dependence among State Prison Inmates The Prison Journal, March 1, 2005; 85(1): 7 - 17. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. T. Hegel, J. Unutzer, L. Tang, P. A. Arean, W. Katon, P. H. Noel, J. W. Williams Jr., and E. H.B. Lin Impact of Comorbid Panic and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Outcomes of Collaborative Care for Late-Life Depression in Primary Care Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, January 1, 2005; 13(1): 48 - 58. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. W. Oslin Late-Life Alcoholism: Issues Relevant to the Geriatric Psychiatrist Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, December 1, 2004; 12(6): 571 - 583. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. H. Noel, J. W. Williams Jr, J. Unutzer, J. Worchel, S. Lee, J. Cornell, W. Katon, L. H. Harpole, and E. Hunkeler Depression and Comorbid Illness in Elderly Primary Care Patients: Impact on Multiple Domains of Health Status and Well-being Ann. Fam. Med, November 1, 2004; 2(6): 555 - 562. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. G. Mezo and E. M. Heiby A Comparison of Four Measures of Self-Control Skills Assessment, September 1, 2004; 11(3): 238 - 250. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. S. El-Kamary, S. M. Higman, L. Fuddy, E. McFarlane, C. Sia, and A. K. Duggan Hawaii's Healthy Start Home Visiting Program: Determinants and Impact of Rapid Repeat Birth Pediatrics, September 1, 2004; 114(3): e317 - e326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. L. Banyard, L. M. Williams, and J. A. Siegel Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Gender Perspective on Context and Consequences Child Maltreat, August 1, 2004; 9(3): 223 - 238. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. W. Williams Jr., W. Katon, E. H.B. Lin, P. H. Noel, J. Worchel, J. Cornell, L. Harpole, B. A. Fultz, E. Hunkeler, V. S. Mika, et al. The Effectiveness of Depression Care Management on Diabetes-Related Outcomes in Older Patients Ann Intern Med, June 15, 2004; 140(12): 1015 - 1024. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Maggia, S. Martin, C. Crouzet, P. Richard, P. Wagner, J.-L. Balmes, and B. Nalpas VARIATION IN AUDIT (ALCOHOL USED DISORDER IDENTIFICATION TEST) SCORES WITHIN THE FIRST WEEKS OF IMPRISONMENT Alcohol Alcohol., May 1, 2004; 39(3): 247 - 250. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Sher Depression and alcoholism QJM, April 1, 2004; 97(4): 237 - 240. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. L. Shields and J. C. Caruso A Reliability Induction and Reliability Generalization Study of the Cage Questionnaire Educational and Psychological Measurement, April 1, 2004; 64(2): 254 - 270. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Hartwell Triple Stigma: Persons with Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Problems in the Criminal Justice System Criminal Justice Policy Review, March 1, 2004; 15(1): 84 - 99. [Abstract] [PDF]