International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol 28, 219-224, Copyright © 1999 by International Epidemiological Association
J Rehm, TK Greenfield, G Walsh, X Xie, L Robson and E Single
BACKGROUND: There are no standardized ways to assess alcohol consumption in
epidemiological studies. The main objective of the present study was to
compare three widely used methods for assessing alcohol consumption with
respect to resulting prevalence estimates for high risk drinking and harm
as defined by morbidity and mortality indicators. METHODS: A
within-subjects design was used to compare a quantity frequency, a
graduated frequency, and a weekly drinking recall measure. Data consisted
of a representative sample of 3961 adult residents of the province of
Ontario, Canada, who participated in a multi-wave cross-sectional survey
between 1990-1994. Cross-tabulation, Spearman correlation, and standard
methodologies for prevalence-based cost-of-illness studies were used.
RESULTS: The graduated frequency measure consistently yielded higher
estimates of the prevalences of high risk drinking and harm. Differences
were marked on all indicators, but were most pronounced for harmful
drinking as defined by consuming an average of >60 g pure alcohol per
day for males, and >40 g per day for females. Prevalence estimates of
harmful drinking were almost five times higher for graduated frequency
versus weekly drinking measures, and almost three times higher for
graduated frequency versus quantity frequency measures. CONCLUSIONS: The
characteristics of different measures of alcohol consumption should be
considered in future research in epidemiology.
ARTICLES
Assessment methods for alcohol consumption, prevalence of high risk drinking and harm: a sensitivity analysis
Addiction Research Foundation, Centre for Addictions and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
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