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(Open Calc) CAGE Questionnaire for Alcohol Abuse

Background

• Well-validated, rapid screening tool for alcohol abuse
• Can help identify pts for whom further assessment is warranted

Interpretation

• Minimum score: 0
• Maximum score: 4
• Higher score indicates greater probability of alcohol abuse
• Cutoff score: ≥ 2 (sensitivity: 80%; specificity: 85%)

Scoring Instructions

1. C: Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
   • No (0 points)
   • Yes (1 point)
2. A: Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
   • No (0 points)
   • Yes (1 point)
3. G: Have you ever felt guilty or bad about your drinking?
   • No (0 points)
   • Yes (1 point)
4. E: Have you ever had an eye opener (drink first thing in the morning) to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?
   • No (0 points)
   • Yes (1 point)

References

1. Ewing JA. Detecting alcoholism: the CAGE questionnaire. JAMA.1984;252:1905-7.
2. Buchsbaum DG, Buchanan RG, et al. Screening for alcohol abuse using CAGE scores and likelihood ratios. Ann Intern Med.1991;115:774-7.
3. King M. At-risk drinking among general practice attendees: Validation of the CAGE questionnaire. Psychol Med.1986;16:213-7.