Indicators of Alcohol Consumption: Comparisons Between a Questionnaire (Mm‐MAST), Interviews and Serum γ‐Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) in a Health Survey of Middle‐aged Males

Abstract

Summary A questionnaire consisting of nine questions about drinking habits was used in a preventive programme for middle‐aged males in Malmo. With a cut‐off point of two yes‐answers to the questions, 66% of a group of heavy drinkers, 73 % of all registered alcoholics and 90% of not previously identified alcoholics were identified. Serum γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), used as an indicator of heavy alcohol consumption in the screening, was a poor instrument for the detection of alcoholism in the same population, assigning correctly only 35%. In combination, the two tests identified 82% of all registered alcoholics, and 97% of the alcoholics who were registered in the period following the screening investigation. Thus Mm‐MAST is a useful screening test for alcoholism in medical screening examinations and may successfully be used in combination with biochemical tests.