The Psychometric Properties of the Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT): A Review of Recent Research

Abstract

This article reviews the reliability (internal consistency, interrater reliability), factor structure, and validity (i.e., sensitivity and specificity) of the 11-item Drug Use Disorders Identification Test (DUDIT). An extensive literature review was conducted using the Medline, Psychinfo and PubMed databases from January 2005 to October 2014. Search terms were “Drug Use Disorders Identification Test” and “DUDIT”. All articles that addressed reliability, factor structure, sensitivity and specificity of the DUDIT were examined. Publications in which the DUDIT was used as a screening tool and/or studies that used the DUDIT to compare use and abuse/dependence of drugs in participants at baseline and at follow-up but had no data on its psychometric properties, were not included. In total, 18 usable publications were identified and included in the review. In general, the DUDIT yields satisfactory measures of reliability and validity for use as a clinical or research tool. Internal consistency reliability estimates (Cronbach’s α) are generally >.90. Most studies also revealed favorable sensitivity (ranging from .85 to 1.00) and specificity (ranging from .75 to .92) in a variety of populations. Results on the factor structure, however, are somewhat equivocal. Future directions for research on the DUDIT are suggested.