The AUDIT-C is an abbreviation for the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise. This is a simplified version of the 10-question AUDIT instrument developed by the World Health Organization. The AUDIT-C is a 3-item alcohol screen that can help identify persons who are hazardous drinkers or have active alcohol use disorders (including alcohol abuse or dependence).
The AUDIT-C is applicable to all adult patients, regardless of their medical or psychiatric conditions. It is used in a wide variety of settings including primary care, emergency departments, mental health clinics, and substance use treatment programs.
The clinical utility of the AUDIT-C is to screen for excessive drinking and/or active alcohol abuse or dependence. It can help clinicians identify patients who may benefit from interventions to reduce or stop their alcohol consumption.
There are no specific exclusion criteria for the AUDIT-C. However, it may not be as accurate in certain populations such as pregnant women or individuals with certain psychiatric disorders. It is also less accurate in identifying risky drinking in older adults.
Reference
K Bush, D R Kivlahan, M B McDonell et al. The AUDIT alcohol consumption questions (AUDIT-C): an effective brief screening test for problem drinking. Ambulatory Care Quality Improvement Project (ACQUIP). Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Arch Intern Med. 1998 Sep 14;158(16):1789-95.
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