The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as a screen for at-risk drinking in primary care patients of different racial/ethnic backgrounds

This study examined the operating characteristics of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) as a screen for "at-risk" drinking in a multi-ethnic sample of primary care patients, from a family practice center located in the southwestern United States. A probability sample of 1333 family medicine patients, stratified by gender and racial/ethnic background (white, African-American and Mexican-American) completed the AUDIT, followed by the Alcohol Use Disorders and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule (AUDADIS) to determine ICD-10 diagnoses. Indicators of hazardous alcohol use and alcohol-related problems were included as measures of "at-risk" drinking. Despite differences in the spectrum of alcohol problems across patient subgroups, there was no evidence of gender or racial/ethnic bias in the AUDIT as indicated by Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve analysis. Excluding abstainers from the analysis had little impact on screening efficacy. In this patient population, the AUDIT appears to be an unbiased measure of "at-risk" drinking.     

Brief Report: Use of Phytohemagglutinin to Stimulate Hematopoiesis in Humans

PHA therapy was administered to three patients with bone marrow suppression, two with "idiopathic aplastic anemia" and one with myelofibrosis.One patient with aplastic anemia showed increased marrow erythroid activity; the others had no response. Review of the available data on PHAtherapy suggests that states of marrow depression related to known etiologiesmay respond more readily than idiopathic states. Further studies are neededbefore definitive conclusions can be drawn as to the true efficacy of this agent.

Submitted on June 29, 1965 Accepted on September 11, 1965