Alcohol Use Identification Test Research Articles

Exploring Alcohol-Related Behaviours in an Adult Sample with Anorexia Nervosa and Those in Recovery.

While individuals with Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED) often present with a higher rate of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) than the general population, it is unclear whether this extends to AN. This cross-sectional study examined differences in alcohol-related behaviours, measured using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT), between AN participants (n = 58), recovered AN (rec-AN) participants (n = 25), and healthy controls (n = 57). Statistical models controlled for age and ethnicity. The relationship between alcohol-related behaviours with ED psychopathology and with depression was also assessed. The findings indicated that acute AN participants were not at greater risk of AUD than healthy controls. However, rec-AN participants displayed greater total audit scores than those with acute AN, and more alcohol-related behaviours than healthy controls. Acute AN participants consumed significantly less alcohol than both the healthy control group and rec-AN group. No associations were found between ED psychopathology and alcohol-related behaviours in the AN group or rec-AN. This highlights alcohol as a potential coping mechanism following AN recovery. Clinicians should consider assessments for AUD and targeted interventions aimed at encouraging healthy coping mechanisms in this group. Future studies should look at alcohol use as a moderating factor for AN recovery.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Substance Use among People with and without HIV.

People with HIV (PWH) may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological impacts of COVID-19. To assess this, participants were recruited from two established cohorts of PWH and HIV- adults with the available pre-pandemic baseline data and completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT), National Institute on Drug Abuse Quick Screen (NIDA-QS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at two distinct intra-pandemic time periods. All outcomes were evaluated using generalized linear mixed models. In total, 87 participants completed all the questionnaires; 45 were PWH and 42 were HIV-. The pre-pandemic mean BDI-II, BAI, AUDIT and PSQI scores were higher in the PWH cohort. After the onset of the pandemic, the mean BDI-II, AUDIT and PSQI scores increased within the sample as a whole (p < 0.001, p = 0.029 and p = 0.046, respectively). The intra-pandemic mean BDI-II scores fell slightly for both groups and the AUDIT scores increased slightly for the PWH group and fell slightly for the HIV- group, but not significantly. The intra-pandemic PSQI scores increased sharply for both groups. The percentage of PWH and HIV- participants who moved into a more severe category of depression was identical (18%), but more PWH met the criteria for clinical evaluation. The BAI and NIDA-QS scores did not increase significantly. In conclusion, the measures of mental health symptoms and alcohol use increased in both groups after the onset of the pandemic. Although there were no significant differences in the changes between the groups, the PWH had higher baseline scores and the changes in this group had more clinical impacts.

Gender-specific characteristics of alcohol use in community-dwelling older adults in Belgium

ABSTRACT Objectives Gender has been identified as an important social determinant for health. This study investigates gender-specific characteristics for alcohol use (AU) among community-dwelling older adults. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional study in 1.406 community-dwelling older adults. We used standardized questionnaires to collect self-reported data on alcohol use behavior, mental health, drinking motives and resilience by using, respectively, the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Multiple linear regression was used to identify the joint contribution of those factors on AU. Hierarchical regression was used to investigate the influence of the interaction between gender and those factors on AU. Results Linear regression analyses showed different associations with AU in men and women. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that gender presented a two-way interaction effect with enhancement and anxiety variables related to AU. Conclusions Different characteristics were found as predictors for AU among older men and women. Clinical implications Clinicians and health-care providers should be aware of these differences in order to provide tailored screening and intervention programs to reduce AU in older adults.

Resilience, depression and anxiety and hazardous alcohol use behaviour among community dwelling older adults

ABSTRACT Introduction We examined the psychometric properties of the CD-RISC, including factor structure. Secondly, we examined if resilience factors moderate the association between negative affect and hazardous alcohol use. Method The sample population consisted of 1,368 community-dwelling older adults. We used standardized questionnaires to collect self-reported data on alcohol use behaviour, depression and anxiety and resilience by using respectively the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Results Of the total sample (N 1.368), 80.1% reported using alcohol. The total sample and the drinking sample reported, respectively, a mean of 65.75 (SD 15.40) and 65.79 (SD 15.90) on the CD-RISC. Concerning the CD-RISC, exploratory factor analysis presents four factors of which three with a good reliability. Moderation analyses reflects that older adults with higher levels of resilient characteristics didn’t report an association between negative affect and hazardous drinking. Alternatively, low resilient older adults did report an positive and significant association between negative affect and hazardous drinking. Conclusion The CD-RISC appeared to be a reliable instrument, containing three factors. In our sample, high resilience moderated the association between negative affect and hazardous drinking and may serve as a buffer against hazardous drinking.

Health care consumption for somatic patients following a brief outreach alcohol intervention

This study explores health and social care consumption in two groups of patients with risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), following a brief outreach alcohol intervention in a general hospital setting in Denmark. The Relay intervention aims to decrease health care contacts and thus primarily, in the long run, to reduce health care costs and secondarily to reduce labour market consequences and social costs for patients with alcohol problems. The study took place in somatic hospital departments with high prevalence of alcohol related injuries and illnesses. Patients admitted to the hospital between October 2013 and June 2016 were screened using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) and everyone scoring 8 points and above were randomised to either intervention (Relay group) or control group (TAU group). The patients (n=561) were followed for 12 months after discharge from the hospital. Data was gathered on somatic and psychiatric hospital admissions, GP visits and other primary health care visits as well as the costs associated with the health care contacts. In addition, data on social costs and productivity was gathered. All data was gathered from the Danish registers using personal identification numbers. We modelled the association using generalised linear modelling and investigated the costs further by performing a quantile analysis. We found no statistically significant difference in health care costs, social costs or productivity between the two groups. A longer follow-up is needed to fully investigate effects of the Relay intervention on changes in patients’ health behaviour and subsequently on health care costs.

The Effect of Drinking Style on Alcohol-related Harm and Readiness to Change among the Indigenous Communities of Sabah

Aims: This study aims to examine the effect of drinking style on alcohol-related harm and readiness to change among the indigenous communities of Sabah.&#x0D; Study Design: This study applied quantitative research design using a survey method.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in the West Coast Division of Sabah, between Sept 2018 to Dec 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 56 villagers between age 18 to 56 years old (29 female, 27 male) have participated in this study. Purposive sampling by using Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) was applied to select hazardous and harmful drinkers among the indigenous communities of Sabah Data were analyzed by using IBMSPSS version 22.0.&#x0D; Results: The study found a positive and significant effect of drinking style towards alcohol-related harm and readiness to change. The willingness and ability to make changes in their current behaviour to the new behaviour of drinking indicate participants who are at the hazardous and harmful drinking styles were reported experienced negative alcohol consequences. At the same time also, participants have shown their willingness and ability to make changes in their current behaviour to the new behaviour of drinking. It can explain the positive relation between alcohol-related harm and readiness among the participants. On the other hand, the more they experience the adverse effects of alcohol, the more they want to make a change in their drinking style.&#x0D; Conclusion: These findings are significant to provide direction for the next action plan for intervention purposes aims to reduce the alcohol-related harm among the indigenous communities of Sabah.

Effect of Hypnotherapy in Alcohol Use Disorder Compared With Motivational Interviewing: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Hypnotherapy has proved to be effective for the treatment of several medical and psychiatric conditions. It has been used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD), but only 2 randomized controlled trials have been conducted for this disorder. Methods: This study was carried out at an inpatient clinic in Norway. A 6-week long treatment program included intensive group therapy, but also 5 hours of individual therapy, given as motivational interviewing (MI). Thirty-one patients were randomized either to receive 5 individual sessions of hypnotherapy instead of MI (N=16) or to be in the control group (N=15). The treatment method for the hypnotherapy group was Erickson (permissive) hypnosis. At baseline all the participants were diagnosed using a psychiatric interview and filled in the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT), Timeline FollowBack (TLFB) for alcohol use, Hopkins Symptoms Check List (HSCL-25) for monitoring mental distress and Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire. AUDIT, TLFB, and HSCL-25 were readministered at follow-up after 1 year. Results: There were no differences between groups at baseline. One year later more women were lost to follow-up in the MI group. Both the intervention and control groups had reduced their alcohol consumption significantly. The change in AUDIT score was, however, largest for the hypnotherapy group, albeit only on a trend level (P=0.088). Conclusions: Those receiving hypnotherapy did marginally better concerning alcohol use at 1-year follow-up. This small advantage for hypnotherapy could indicate an effect, rendered nonsignificant by an underpowered study. It could also be that neither MI nor hypnotherapy gave an additional effect on top of the substantial group therapy. Lastly the findings could indicate that hypnotherapy is at least as effective as MI.

Problematic drinking in the old and its association with muscle mass and muscle function in type II diabetes

Problematic drinking behavior is common in the old and negative consequences of hypoglycemic episodes in type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a result of alcohol consumption have been described previously. Although, associations between such hypoglycemic episodes with reduced muscle mass are discussed, it is uncertain if problematic drinking behavior drives decline of muscle mass and/or muscle function. In the current study, we analyzed data of the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II) to examine the association of problematic drinking behavior with muscle mass and grip strength in T2D. Cross-sectional data of 1451 old BASE-II participants (51.6% women; 60–84 years old) were analyzed. Problematic drinking behavior was assessed using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT). Muscle mass was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), grip strength using a Smedley dynamometer. Adjusted regression models were calculated to assess the association of problematic drinking with muscle mass and grip strength. Problematic drinking was evident in 11.2% of BASE-II participants and in 12.5% of BASE-II participants diabetes was evident. In the fully adjusted model (adjusted for age, trunk fat mass, HbA1c, antidiabetic medication, TSH, CRP, testosterone, physical inactivity, depression (GDS-score), morbidities, smoking status and total energy intake/day, we found a statistically significant association between problematic drinking and muscle mass (β-3.7, SE: 1.3, R2 0.481, partial eta square 0.166, observed power 0.816, p-value 0.005) and grip strength (β-8.1, SE: 3.3, R2 0.222, partial eta square 0.134, observed power 0.670, p-value 0.018) in old diabetic men. These associations were not evident in women and subjects without T2D. Problematic drinking behavior was associated with lower muscle mass and grip strength in old men with diabetes. This topic should be addressed in these subjects as they could be at increased risk for early functional decline, sarcopenia or frailty.

Evidence for essential unidimensionality of AUDIT and measurement invariance across gender, age and education. Results from the WIRUS study

IntroductionGlobally, alcohol use is among the most important risk factors related to burden of disease, and commonly emerges among the ten most important factors. Also, alcohol use disorders are major contributors to global burden of disease. Therefore, accurate measurement of alcohol use and alcohol-related problems is important in a public health perspective. The Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) is a widely used, brief ten-item screening instrument to detect alcohol use disorder. Despite this the factor structure and comparability across different (sub)-populations has yet to be determined. Our aim was to investigate the factor structure of the AUDIT-questionnaire and the viability of specific factors, as well as assessing measurement invariance across gender, age and educational level. MethodsWe employed data (N = 4,318) from the ongoing screening study in the Norwegian national WIRUS project. We used Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) to establish the factor structure of the AUDIT. Next, we investigated the viability of specific factors in a bi-factor model, and assessed measurement invariance of the preferred factor structure. ResultsOur findings indicate the AUDIT is essentially unidimensional, and that comparisons can readily be done across gender, age and educational attainment. ConclusionWe found support for a one-factor structure of AUDIT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the viability of specific factors in a bi-factor model as well as evaluating measurement invariance across gender, age and educational attainment for the AUDIT questionnaire. Therefore, further studies are needed to replicate our findings related to essential unidimensionality.

Pregnancy in prison, mental health and admission to prison mother and baby units

ABSTRACTLittle is known about the mental health of pregnant women in prison in England or the factors which impact admissions to prison mother and baby units (MBUs). Research from the UK suggests women with more ‘stable’ backgrounds and lower prevalence of mental disorder are more likely to be admitted to prison MBUs. Eighty-five pregnant women were interviewed in eight different prisons. Schedules for the Clinical Assessment of Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) were used to assess mental health; Severity of Dependence Questionnaire (SOD-Q) for drug misuse; Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) for hazardous drinking; and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-II) to identify personality disorder. Fifty-one per cent of participants had depression and 57% had anxiety. Those who were working prior to imprisonment were more likely to be admitted to MBUs, and those with a prior social services involvement, diagnosis of personality disorder or history of suicidality were less likely to be admitted. The high levels of depression and anxiety can have negative impacts on both the mother and her unborn child. Factors which influence MBU admission suggest those who might benefit most from MBU placement are least likely to be admitted.

Alcohol use and psychological wellbeing of health workers in a Nigerian Hospital: An exploratory study.

The degree of alcohol use influences one's mental health and psychological wellbeing. Psychological well-being of health workers, however, is crucial to the quality of care their patients receive. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of alcohol use and factors associated with psychological well-being of health care workers at a University Teaching Hospital. This was a cross sectional survey of health workers in the medical and surgical specialties at the State University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Socio-demographic questionnaire, the 10-items Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) and the 12-items General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used to assess socio-demographic, alcohol use and psychological well-being of the participants. Statistical analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Appropriate statistical tools were used to determine relationships between various variables. A total of 256 participants were interviewed. Fifteen (5.9%) of the respondents were either hazardous or harmful drinkers. Psychological distress was reported among 17.2% of the respondents and this was significantly associated with marital status, years of practice, specialty of practice, presence of ongoing chronic illness, current stressors and level of alcohol use. A high proportion of the participants in the study were abstainers and a significant number were experiencing psychological distress. Psychological distress was however found to be significantly associated with harmful alcohol use, some socio-demographic variables, and work related factors. Efforts should be geared towards identifying these factors so as to ensure effectiveness and well-being of health workers.

Effects of hazardous alcohol use on neurocognition in hiv positive individuals

IntroductionThere is significant evidence that HIV is brain degenerative and long-term infection can impair cognitive functioning. In South Africa, alcohol remains the dominant substance of abuse and lifetime alcohol dependence has been found to impair memory, executive function and visuospatial capabilities. The individual liability of alcohol and HIV on neurocognitive function have been well demonstrated, however there is relatively little evidence of the potentially aggravating effects of this dual burden on neurocognitive outcomes.ObjectivesThe present study is ongoing and sought to identify the effects of hazardous alcohol use on neurocognitive functioning in the context of HIV infection.AimsTo describe the association between HIV and harmful alcohol use on neuropsychological test performance in a cohort of adults in the Western Cape of South africa.Methodsparticipants (n = 50) were tested using a battery of neuropsychological tests sensitive to the effects of HIV on the brain. Self-reported alcohol use was recorded using the alcohol use identification test (AUDIT). Results The sample consisted of 47 females and 3 males. All participants were HIV-positive and on antiretroviral therapy. A total of 23 (46%) participants reported no alcohol use and 27 (54%) reported drinking alcohol on the AUDIT.Resultsrevealed a significant difference between groups on the Stroop colour word test, with poorer performance evident among the alcohol users (P = 0.008).ConclusionAlcohol use in the context of HIV infection contributes to poorer executive function. These preliminary data provide evidence for a synergistic relationship between HIV infection and alcohol use.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Phone-based safety monitoring of the first year of baclofen treatment for alcohol use disorder: the BACLOPHONE cohort study protocol

ABSTRACTBackground: In France, baclofen is frequently used off-label for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Baclofen has been associated with diverse adverse events (AEs), but the causality of these AEs has never been properly assessed.Methods/Design: BACLOPHONE is a prospective multicenter cohort study conducted in the Hauts-de-France and Normandie French regions. BACLOPHONE consists of the phone-based monitoring of 792 patients during their first year of baclofen treatment for AUD. Two initial phone interviews assess the medical history, current medications, and substance use as well as complete the alcohol use identification test (AUDIT) and severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire (SADQ). Daily alcohol use and baclofen doses are noted throughout the follow-up. For every reported AE, additional phone interviews determine the seriousness of the AE, the causality of baclofen using validated causality algorithms, and the final outcome. The main objective of the study is to determine the rate of patients who stop baclofen due to an AE during the first year of treatment.Discussion: BACLOPHONE will provide important safety data on baclofen as a complement to the forthcoming efficacy data of randomized clinical trials.

Prevalence of problematic alcohol consumption in patients with anxiety of depressive disorders

IntroductionDepression and alcohol problems are common in psychiatric outpatients, but there are few studies including patients with anxiety disorders.AimsTo study the prevalence of problematic alcohol consumption in a sample of patients diagnosed of anxiety or depressive disorder and treated in a mental health clinic and to analyze clinical and sociodemographic variables associated to alcohol consumption.MethodsThe sample studied included 194 outpatients (31.9% men and 68.1% women) treated in an outpatient clinic and diagnosed of any anxiety or depressive disorder included in DSM-IVTR as main diagnose. Instruments used were Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT). Other variables studied included age, civil status, level of studies, and specific psychiatric diagnoses.ResultsA total of 64.9% were diagnosed of anxiety disorder and 35.1% were diagnosed of depressive disorder. The prevalence of problematic alcohol consumption was 7.8%, being more frequent in men, especially in men and in middle ages. Problematic alcohol consumption was found with more frequency in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and major depression, in this order. Patients with other comorbidity disorders in Axis II presented the highest prevalences of problematic alcohol consumption.ConclusionsProblematic alcohol consumption presents high prevalence in patients with anxiety or depressive disorders and dual diagnose usually is associated with poor prognosis. It is necessary to make efforts to detect alcohol problematic consumption in psychiatric patients and develop specific treatment programs directed to this group of patients in both primary and specialized care units.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Alcohol use disorder identification test use in Muslim countries

Correction: Due to an error in the online publication of this journal, the publication date of this issue was recorded as 2014. The publication date was corrected to 2015 on 3 rd September 2015. The date on the cover is correct. Background : Although alcohol consumption rates are low in the Middle East, there are pockets of high risk alcohol consumption especially among the youth. However, the main problem is the absence of trusted statistics related to alcohol use in these countries. This study is aimed at finding the possible bias in using Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) question­naire among undergraduates in Karbala/Iraq and to determine alcohol consumption rates and the potential predictors. Material and methods : A random sample (n=5446 students) answered a questionnaire based on AUDIT. The study objectives were to determine the effect of socio-cultural contexts on validity of AUDIT in a Muslim country. The analysis used descriptive and chi-squares test and regression analysis to assess significant associations at p Results : Biased AUDIT findings might be estimated due to the high rates of guilt (54%) or knowing that others care about alcohol consumption (49%). Alcohol consumption lifetime incidence rate was 2% and was higher among male smokers. Risky drinking patterns was high (56%); however this might be biased due to socio-cultural reasons. Conclusion : AUDIT use should consider socio-cultural environments. Alcohol consumption among university students is low as similar to the rates reported in neighbouring countries such as Jordan and Turkey. Risky drinking behaviour was alarmingly high which suggests that socio-cultural environ­ment need should be considered in interpreting AUDIT results. International Journal of Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2015;1(3-4):79-92

The effectiveness of integrated treatment in patients with substance use disorders co-occurring with anxiety and/or depression - a group randomized trial

BackgroundIntegrated Treatment (IT) has proved effective in treating patients with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) co-occurring with severe Mental Disorders (MD), less is known about the effectiveness of IT for patients with SUD co-occurring with less severe MD.The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of IT for patients with SUD co-occurring with anxiety and/or depression on the following parameters:1. The use of substances, as measured by the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT), the Drug Use Identification Test (DUDIT), and the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI).2. The severity of psychiatric symptoms, as measured by the Symptom Check List 90 r (SCL 90R).3. The client’s motivation for changing his/her substance use behaviour, as measured by the Substance Abuse Treatment Scale (SATSr).MethodsThis is a group randomized clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of IT to treatment as usual in Community Mental Health Centres (CMHCs). Five CMHCs were drawn to the Intervention Group (IG) and four CMHCs to the Control Group (CG). The allocation to treatment conditions was not blinded. New referrals were screened with the AUDIT and the DUDIT. Those who scored above the cut-off level of these instruments were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV 1 and 2. We included patients with anxiety and/or depression together with one or more SUDs.ResultsWe included 55 patients in the IG and 21 in the CG. A linear multilevel model was used. Both groups reduced their alcohol and substance use during the trial, while there was no change in psychiatric symptoms in either group. However, the IG had a greater increase in motivation for substance use treatment after 12 months than had the CG with an estimate of 1.76, p = 0.043, CI95% (0.08; 3.44) (adjusted analyses). There were no adverse events.ConclusionsIntegrated treatment is effective in increasing the motivation for treatment amongst patients with anxiety and/or depression together with SUD in outpatient clinics.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00447733.

Factors Influencing Life Satisfaction in Korean Baby-boomer Men with Drinking Problems

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of life satisfaction and identify factors influencing life satisfaction in Korean baby-boomer men with drinking problems. Methods: The study used cross-sectional design with secondary analysis of the 7th data of Korean Welfare Penal Study collected in 2012 from 6,000 Korean households. Among 1,572 baby-boomers born between 1955 and 1963, 349 men with a drinking problem were selected as a sample by the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) scores. Levels of depression, self-esteem, and life satisfaction were measured. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression were conducted with SPSS/WIN 21.0. Results: The findings indicated that the mean AUDIT score was 13.7. Means were 2.8 for depression, 20.2 for self-esteem, and 23.2 for life satisfaction. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that self-esteem, depression, educational level, and levels of problem drinking significantly predicted life satisfaction, explaining 41.1% of the variance. Conclusion: Problem drinking, depression, and self-esteem were important to improve life satisfaction among Korean baby-boomer men. Further study is necessary to examine the mediating effects of depression and self-esteem in the relationship between problem drinking and life satisfaction.

Alcohol use and problem drinking in South Africa: findings from a national population-based survey

This study formed part of the South African National HIV, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication (SABSSM) 2008 survey, which included questions assessing the extent of alcohol use and problem drinking among South Africans. A multistage random population sample of 15 828 persons aged 15 or older (56.3% women) was included in the survey. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT). Tabulation of data for different age groups, geolocality, educational level, income, and population group produced the estimates and associated confidence intervals. The odds ratios for these variables in relation to hazardous or harmful drinking were also computed. Current alcohol use was reported by 41.5% of the men and 17.1% of women. White men (69.8%) were most likely and Indian/Asian women (15.2%) least likely to be current drinkers. Urban residents (33.4%) were more likely than rural dwellers (18.3%) to report current drinking. Risky or hazardous or harmful drinking was reported by 9%: 17% among men and 2.9% among women. In men, risky drinking was associated with: the 20-54 year age group; the Coloured population group; lower economic status; and lower education. Among women, risky drinking was associated with: urban residence; the Coloured population group; lower education; and higher income. An increase in current, binge drinking and hazardous or harmful drinking prevalence rates was observed from 2005 to 2008 in South Africa. Multilevel interventions are required to target high-risk drinkers and to create awareness in the general population of the problems associated with harmful drinking. Future prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of problem drinking.

114: The Role of Chronic Alcohol Abuse in the Development of Primary Graft Dysfunction (PGD) in Lung Transplant (LTx) Recipients

Primary Graft Dysfunction (PGD) is clinically similar to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Alcohol abuse increases the risk of developing ARDS ∼4- fold in at-risk patients. ∼20% of donors have significant alcohol use, and it was only when instruments such as the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) were used in epidemiological studies that the previously unrecognized association between alcohol abuse and ARDS was identified. Therefore, we hypothesized that donor alcohol abuse, defined by this well-validated measure, will correlate with PGD risk.

FREQUENCY AND CORRELATES OF MAJOR DEPRESSION AMONG A NATIONAL SAMPLE OF MEDICAL STUDENTS.

Medical school involves high stress with long working hours, culminating in an intense and demanding experience. Stresses and pressures encountered during medical school place medical students at a high risk of depression. Purpose of the Study To assess frequency and correlates of major depression among a national sample of medical students. Method A retrospective, secondary analysis of 2,710 Web-based surveys collected from a national sample of medical students from 36 accredited US medical schools. Study measures included sociodemographics, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT), stressful life events, social support, perceived risk, impulsivity/risk-taking behaviors, average hours of sleep in 24 hours, and perceived level of adequate exercise. Results Fifty-eight percent of respondents were in the first and second year of medical school, 60% were female, and the majority were not married (73%). Frequency of major (CES-D ≥ 22), moderate, and no depression was reported by 30% (n = 797), 46% (n = 1,243), and 24% (n = 643) of students, respectively. Among 12 variables in the multinomial regression analysis, predictors of major depression include illicit drug use, perception of risk, impulsivity, social support, report of stress, marital status, and positive AUDIT (p ≤ .05). Conclusion Our findings suggest that depression is an important issue in the life of medical students that needs further attention. Moreover, our findings underlie the importance of personality and substance use and abuse factors in the study of depression among medical students.