michigan alcohol screening test reliability and validity

Normative data are not gathered for screening measures of this sortĪ meta-analysis of 22 studies reported the median internal consistency was Rating (adequate, good, excellent, too good*) Rubric for evaluating norms and reliability for the CAGE questionnaire* Internal consistency (whether all of the items measure the same construct) is not usually reported in studies of the CAGE nor is inter-rater reliability (which would measure how similar peoples' responses were if the interviews were repeated again, or different raters listened to the same interview). Not all of the different types of reliability apply to the way that the CAGE is typically used. Reliability refers to whether the scores are reproducible.

The original study, conducted in a general hospital population where 130 patients were randomly selected to partake in an in-depth interview, successfully isolated four questions that make up the questionnaire today due to their ability to detect the sixteen alcoholics from the rest of the patients. The CAGE questionnaire was developed in 1968 at North Carolina Memorial Hospital to combat the paucity of screening measures to detect problem drinking behaviors. It has been validated via receiver operating characteristic analysis, establishing its ability to screen for problem drinking behaviors. CAGE is considered a validated screening technique with high levels of sensitivity and specificity.

The CAGE questionnaire, among other methods, has been extensively validated for use in identifying alcoholism. Two 'yes' responses indicate that the possibility of alcoholism should be investigated further.

Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning ( Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?.

Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?.

Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?.

Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?.

The CAGE questionnaire asks the following questions:

The CAGE questionnaire is reliable and valid however, it is not valid for diagnosis of other substance use disorders, although somewhat modified versions of the CAGE questionnaire have been frequently implemented for such a purpose. The CAGE questionnaire does not have a specific intended population, and is meant to find those who drink excessively and need treatment. The questionnaire takes less than one minute to administer, and is often used in primary care or other general settings as a quick screening tool rather than as an in-depth interview for those who have alcoholism. The CAGE questionnaire, the name of which is an acronym of its four questions, is a widely used screening test for problem drinking and potential alcohol problems.

Michigan alcohol screening test reliability and validity