TY - JOUR
PY - 2019//
TI - The Alcohol Dependence Scale and DSM-5 alcohol use disorder: severity ratings correspond insufficiently in older patients
JO - International journal of methods in psychiatric research
A1 - Mejldal, Anna
A1 - Andersen, Kjeld
A1 - Bilberg, Randi
A1 - Braun, Barbara
A1 - Bogenschutz, Michael
A1 - Bühringer, Gerhard
A1 - Nielsen, Anette Søgaard
A1 - Behrendt, Silke
SP - ePub
EP - ePub
VL - ePub
IS - ePub
N2 - OBJECTIVES: To investigate the psychometric properties of the frequently used Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS) in older adults and the associations between ADS scores and alcohol use and DSM-5 AUD symptom counts.
METHODS: Using baseline data from an international multicenter RCT on outpatient AUD treatment for adults aged 60+ with DSM-5 alcohol use disorder (AUD; n = 529), we computed Cronbach's alpha (α) and applied confirmatory (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to determine the underlying factor structure. A structural equation model (SEM) explored the interrelationship of latent ADS factors with alcohol use and number of DSM-5 criteria endorsed.
RESULTS: Internal consistency of the ADS (α = 0.81) was good. EFA revealed a three-factor structure. Factor 1 ("Severe withdrawal symptoms") consisted of severe psychoperceptual and psychophysical consequences of excessive drinking, Factor 2 ("Loss of control") consisted of acute physical reactions of intoxication, and Factor 3 ("Obsessive-compulsive drinking") described habitual drinking. The SEM suggested that only Factor 3 had large effects on DSM-5 symptom score and drinking behavior.
CONCLUSION: Lowering the ADS threshold or focusing on ADS items from Factor 3 may be more suitable measures of severity of alcohol dependence in treatment-seeking older adults as ADS scores are low and not closely related to DSM-5 AUD.
© 2019 The Authors International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Language: en
LA - en
SN - 1049-8931
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1811
ID - ref1
ER -