The AUDIT questionnaire: choosing a cut-off score

Abstract

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item questionnaire designed by the World Health Organization to screen for hazardous alcohol intake in primary health care settings. In this longitudinal study we examined its performance in predicting alcohol-related harm over the full range of its scores using receiver operating characteristic analyses. Three hundred and thirty ambulatory care patients were interviewed using a detailed assessment schedule which included the AUDIT questions. After 2-3 years, subjects were reviewed and their experience of alcohol-related medical and social harm assessed by interview and perusal of medical records. AUDIT was a good predictor of both alcohol-related social and medical problems. Cut-off points of 7-8 maximized discrimination in the prediction of trauma and hypertension. Higher cut-offs (12 and 22) provided better discrimination in the prediction of alcohol-related social problems and of liver disease or gastrointestinal bleeding, but high specificity was offset by reduced sensitivity. We conclude that the recommended cut-off score of eight is a reasonable approximation to the optimal for a variety of endpoints.

Patterns of Sexual Risk Behavior Change Among Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic Patients

“…AUDIT total scores could range from 0 to 40 and this was the range in the current study. For interpretation, scores of 8 or above have been used to identify individuals who may be at risk or who are experiencing alcohol problems (Conigrave, Hall, & Saunders, 1995). The AUDIT has been used extensively in research and is a reliable and valid measure (Babor, de la Fuente, Saunders, & Grant, 1992).…”

Food Insufficiency and Medication Adherence Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Urban and Peri-Urban Settings

“…The Social Support Questionnaire was administered and included availability and validation of support responded to on 4-point scales, 1 = Definitely true, to 4 = Definitely false, alpha=.90 (Brock et al 1996). Frequency of current alcohol use was assessed with the first item from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT] (Conigrave et al 1995). Participants also indicated whether they used marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and other drugs in the previous month.…”

Substance Abuse and Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Women with Histories of Child Sexual Abuse

“…Scores could range from 0 to 40. Our measure of problem drinking was based on an AUDIT score≥8 (Conigrave et al, 1995). Current alcohol use was assessed for the past 4 weeks.…”