Alcohol-related Problems in Primary Care Practices in Japan

【目的】本研究的目的是调查日本初级保健实践中以下与酒精相关的问题：1)日本初级保健实践中问题饮酒者的患病率；2)问题饮酒者的临床特征；3)发现工具（cage问卷）的操作特征；4)适当的干预方式；5)与专家协调的适当方式。[方法]对所有患者进行问卷调查，其中包括Kurihama酒精筛查试验（KAST）（在日本被用作酒精滥用和依赖的“金标准”）和CAGE问卷，调查地点为5个不同实践环境的初级保健诊所，即城市与农村、社区诊所与医院无预约诊所。1997年进行问卷调查，1998年收集数据并录入电脑，1999年进行分析。[结果]在报告饮酒的864名男性中，12.6%被归类为问题饮酒者，而在687名女性中，这一比例为1.9%。在男性和女性的实践中没有统计学差异。这一流行率与其他北美和欧洲国家相当。然而，女性问题饮酒者要少见得多。[进一步的项目]目前正在分析寻找工具（cage问卷）的操作特征，并计划进一步的研究项目来澄清上述目标2)、4)和5)。

[OBJECTIVES] The aim of the study was to investigate the following alcohol-related problems in Primary Care practices in Japan : 1) the prevalence of the problem alcohol drinkers in primary care practices in Japan, 2) clinical features of problematic drinkers, 3) operational characteristics of finding tool-CAGE questionnaire-, 4) appropriate way of intervention, 5) appropriate way of coordination with the specialists.[METHODS] All patients were administered a questionnaire which include Kurihama Alcohol Screening Test (KAST), used as the "gold standard" for alcohol abuse and dependence in Japan, and CAGE questionnaire at five primary care clinics of different practice settings, namely urban vs. rural, community-based clinic vs. hospital-based walk-in clinic. Questionnaires were administered in 1997, gathered and data were entered in computer in 1998, and analyzed in 1999.[RESULTS] Of the 864 men who reported their alcohol, 12.6 % were categorized to be problem alcohol drinkers, whereas 1.9 % of 687 women. There was no statistical difference among the practices for both men and women. This prevalence is comparable to that of other North American and European countries. However female problem alcohol drinkers were far less common.[FUTHER PROJECT] Operational characteristics of finding tool-CAGE questionnaire- are currently in analysis and further research projects are being planned to clarify above mentioned objectives 2), 4), and 5).