CAGE Questionnaire
A screening tool for identifying potential alcohol problems
The CAGE Questionnaire is a widely used screening tool designed to identify potential problems with alcohol consumption. It consists of four questions, each represented by a letter in the acronym "CAGE." The questionnaire is a simple and effective method for detecting alcohol use disorder in various settings, including primary care, mental health clinics, and hospitals.
History[edit | edit source]
The CAGE Questionnaire was developed in 1968 by Dr. John Ewing, a psychiatrist at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine in North Carolina. It was created to provide a quick and reliable method for identifying individuals who may have issues with alcohol use. Since its inception, the CAGE Questionnaire has been validated in numerous studies and is considered a standard tool in the field of addiction medicine.
Structure[edit | edit source]
The CAGE Questionnaire consists of the following four questions:
1. C: Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking? 2. A: Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? 3. G: Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking? 4. E: Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?
Each "yes" response is scored as one point. A total score of two or more is considered clinically significant and suggests the need for further evaluation for alcohol dependence.
Applications[edit | edit source]
The CAGE Questionnaire is used in various clinical settings to screen for alcohol-related problems. It is particularly useful in primary care settings where time is limited, as it can be administered quickly and easily. The tool is also used in emergency medicine and psychiatry to identify patients who may benefit from further assessment and intervention.
Limitations[edit | edit source]
While the CAGE Questionnaire is a valuable screening tool, it has some limitations. It is not designed to diagnose alcohol use disorder but rather to identify individuals who may need further evaluation. Additionally, the CAGE Questionnaire may not be as effective in detecting alcohol problems in certain populations, such as women and younger individuals, who may not exhibit the same patterns of drinking behavior as those traditionally associated with alcohol dependence.
Also see[edit | edit source]
- Alcohol use disorder
- Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT)
- AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test)
- T-ACE Questionnaire
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