What evaluations and questionnaires are used to assess cognitive, behavioral, and mental status in relation to alcohol consumption, including tools for evaluating Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)?

From the Guidelines

The most effective evaluations and questionnaires for assessing alcohol consumption as part of cognitive, behavioral, and mental status assessments are the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) and the shorter AUDIT-C, as they have been shown to be sensitive and specific for detecting alcohol misuse and abuse or dependence. These tools are widely used and recommended by various guidelines, including the US Preventive Services Task Force 1. The AUDIT consists of 10 questions assessing consumption patterns, dependence symptoms, and alcohol-related problems, while the AUDIT-C focuses on the first three consumption questions and is a more brief and convenient option 1. Other tools, such as the CAGE questionnaire, MAST (Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test), and Timeline Followback (TLFB) method, can also be used to assess alcohol consumption and related problems, but the AUDIT and AUDIT-C are generally considered the most effective and efficient options 1. When selecting a tool, clinicians should consider the clinical setting, available time, and assessment goals, and may use brief screening tools initially and follow up with more comprehensive assessments when indicated 1. It is also important to note that the AUDIT and AUDIT-C have been validated in various populations and settings, including primary care, and have been shown to be effective in identifying individuals with alcohol use disorders 1. Overall, the AUDIT and AUDIT-C are the most recommended evaluations and questionnaires for assessing alcohol consumption as part of cognitive, behavioral, and mental status assessments. Some key points to consider when using these tools include:

• The AUDIT and AUDIT-C are sensitive and specific for detecting alcohol misuse and abuse or dependence
• The AUDIT consists of 10 questions, while the AUDIT-C focuses on the first three consumption questions
• The tools can be used in various clinical settings, including primary care
• Clinicians should consider the clinical setting, available time, and assessment goals when selecting a tool
• The AUDIT and AUDIT-C have been validated in various populations and settings.

From the FDA Drug Label

The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Evaluations and Questionnaires for Alcohol Consumption

The following evaluations and questionnaires are used to assess cognitive, behavioral, and mental status in individuals with alcohol consumption issues:

• The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) 2
• The Brief Evaluation of Alcohol-Related Neuropsychological Impairments 2
• The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) 3
• The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 4, 5
• The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) 6
• The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD) 6
• The Quality of Life (QL) measures 6

Cognitive and Behavioral Assessments

These evaluations are used to assess various aspects of cognitive and behavioral functioning, including:

• Executive functions
• Episodic memory
• Social cognition
• Visuospatial and motor abilities
• Verbal fluency
• Psychomotor speed

Mental Status Assessments

The evaluations also assess mental status, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Craving
• Abstinence
• Adverse events

Limitations and Future Directions

While these evaluations and questionnaires are useful in assessing cognitive, behavioral, and mental status in individuals with alcohol consumption issues, there are limitations to their use, including:

• The need for extensive neuropsychological examinations conducted by a neuropsychologist 2
• The lack of research on the effectiveness of these evaluations in certain populations, such as those with comorbid psychiatric disorders 4, 5