Revising the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test (CUDIT) by means of Item Response Theory

Abstract

Cannabis use among adolescents and young adults has become a major public health challenge. Several European countries are currently developing short screening instruments to identify 'problematic' forms of cannabis use in general population surveys. One such instrument is the Cannabis Use Disorders Identification Test (CUDIT), a 10-item questionnaire based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Previous research found that some CUDIT items did not perform well psychometrically. In the interests of improving the psychometric properties of the CUDIT, this study replaces the poorly performing items with new items that specifically address cannabis use. Analyses are based on a sub-sample of 558 recent cannabis users from a representative population sample of 5722 individuals (aged 13-32) who were surveyed in the 2007 Swiss Cannabis Monitoring Study. Four new items were added to the original CUDIT. Psychometric properties of all 14 items, as well as the dimensionality of the supplemented CUDIT were then examined using Item Response Theory. Results indicate the unidimensionality of CUDIT and an improvement in its psychometric performance when three original items (usual hours being stoned; injuries; guilt) are replaced by new ones (motives for using cannabis; missing out leisure time activities; difficulties at work/school). However, improvements were limited to cannabis users with a high problem score. For epidemiological purposes, any further revision of CUDIT should therefore include a greater number of 'easier' items.

Gender differences in the associations among marijuana use, cigarette use, and symptoms of depression during adolescence and young adulthood

“…In order to describe the sample, participants completed the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test – Revised (CUDIT-R; Adamson et al, 2010) at 5- and 6-years, an 8-item self-report assessing marijuana-related problems that is accurate and reliable in adolescent and young adult populations (Annaheim et al, 2010). Total score was used, with higher values representing increased marijuana problems.…”

Validation of the Cannabis Abuse Screening Test in a Sample of Cannabis Inpatients

“…The sample, however, only comprised adults seeking help for depression symptoms (mean age 36.7). A 14-item revision was designed with a representative sample of current cannabis users aged 13–32 years using IRT could not provide sensitivity or specificity [7]. The recent publication of the CPQ-A-S which was based on a school sample (14- to 18-year-olds) did not provide information on sensitivity and specificity [9].…”

“…A new screener, the 16-item Cannabis Use Problems Identification Test (CUPIT [6]) has been developed and its concurrent and predictive validity tested in adolescent and adult general population samples. A revised version of the CUDIT was tested in adolescents using Item Response Theory (IRT) analyses [7]. A further revision, the CUDIT-R, was validated in an adult clinical sample [8].…”

Avaliação da fidedignidade e validade do Mini - Rastreio de Transtornos Mentais (Mini-RTM)

“…Análise das características psicométricas desta escala e de seus itens, feita em adultos jovens em um estudo longitudinal, mostrou boas características psicométricas da escala como um todo e identificou o item 1 (avalia frequência de uso) como sendo aquele que apresenta melhores índices de discriminação (Annahein et al, 2010). Para inclusão no MINI-RTM, este item foi adaptado para a frequência de uso de qualquer droga.…”

“…(Kroenke et al, 2009;de Lima Osório, 2002;Meneses-Gaya et al, 2010;Annahein et al, 2010;Kelleher et al, 2011).O MINI-RTM avalia transtornos depressivos, ansiosos, abuso e/ou dependência de álcool e substâncias e transtornos psicóticos. É um instrumento breve, de rastreio para múltiplos transtornos mentais e de fácil aplicação.…”