Improving screening and brief intervention activities in primary health care: Secondary analysis of professional accuracy based on the AUDIT-C.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The ODHIN trial found that training and support and financial reimbursement increased the proportion of patients that were screened and given advice for their heavy drinking in primary health care. However, the impact of these strategies on professional accuracy in delivering screening and brief advice is underresearched and is the focus of this paper. METHOD: From 120 primary health care units (24 in each jurisdiction: Catalonia, England, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden), 746 providers participated in the baseline and the 12-week implementation periods. Accuracy was measured in 2 ways: correctness in completing and scoring the screening instrument, AUDIT-C; the proportion of screen-negative patients given advice, and the proportion of screen-positive patients not given advice. Odds ratios of accuracy were calculated for type of profession and for intervention group: training and support, financial reimbursement, and internet-based counselling. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 36 711 questionnaires were incorrectly completed, and 65 of 29 641 screen-negative patients were falsely classified. At baseline, 27% of screen-negative patients were given advice, and 22.5% screen-positive patients were not given advice. These proportions halved during the 12-week implementation period, unaffected by training. Financial reimbursement reduced the proportion of screen-positive patients not given advice (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31-0.99; P < .05). CONCLUSION: Although the use of AUDIT-C as a screening tool was accurate, a considerable proportion of risky drinkers did not receive advice, which was reduced with financial incentives.

Genetic and environmental aspects in the association between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and binge-eating behavior in adults: a twin study.

BACKGROUND: Prior research demonstrated that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with binge-eating behavior, binge-eating disorder (BED), and bulimia nervosa (BN). The aim of this study was to investigate these associations in an adult twin population, and to determine the extent to which ADHD symptoms and binge-eating behavior share genetic and environmental factors. METHODS: We used self-reports of current ADHD symptoms and lifetime binge-eating behavior and associated characteristics from a sample of over 18 000 adult twins aged 20-46 years, from the population-based Swedish Twin Registry. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to examine the association between ADHD and lifetime binge-eating behavior, BED, and BN. Structural equation modeling was used in 13 773 female twins to determine the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to the association between ADHD symptoms and binge-eating behavior in female adult twins. RESULTS: ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with lifetime binge-eating behavior, BED, and BN. The heritability estimate for current ADHD symptoms was 0.42 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-0.44], and for lifetime binge-eating behavior 0.65 (95% CI 0.54-0.74). The genetic correlation was estimated as 0.35 (95% CI 0.25-0.46) and the covariance between ADHD and binge-eating behavior was primarily explained by genetic factors (91%). Non-shared environmental factors explained the remaining part of the covariance. CONCLUSIONS: The association between adult ADHD symptoms and binge-eating behavior in females is largely explained by shared genetic risk factors.

Childhood maltreatment and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adults: a large twin study.

BACKGROUND: Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated with increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. It is, however, unclear whether this association is causal or due to familial confounding. METHOD: Data from 18 168 adult twins, aged 20-46 years, were drawn from the population-based Swedish twin registry. Retrospective self-ratings of CM (emotional and physical neglect, physical and sexual abuse and witnessing family violence), and self-ratings for DSM-IV ADHD symptoms in adulthood were analysed. Possible familial confounding was investigated using a within twin-pair design based on monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins. RESULTS: CM was significantly associated with increased levels of ADHD symptom scores in adults [regression coefficient: 0.40 standard deviations, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.43]. Within twin-pair analyses showed attenuated but significant estimates within DZ (0.29, 95% CI 0.21-0.36) and MZ (0.18, 95% CI 0.10-0.25) twin pairs. Similar results emerged for hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive ADHD symptom scores separately in association with CM. We conducted sensitivity analyses for early maltreatment, before age 7, and for abuse and neglect separately, and found similarly reduced estimates in DZ and MZ pairs. Re-traumatization after age 7 did not significantly influence results. CONCLUSIONS: CM was significantly associated with increased ADHD symptoms in adults. Associations were partly due to familial confounding, but also consistent with a causal interpretation. Our findings support cognitive neuroscience studies investigating neural pathways through which exposure to CM may influence ADHD. Clinicians treating adults with ADHD should be aware of the association with maltreatment.

The importance of organizational climate and implementation strategy at the introduction of a new working tool in primary health care.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The transmission of research findings into routine care is a slow and unpredictable process. Important factors predicting receptivity for innovations within organizations have been identified, but there is a need for further research in this area. The aim of this study was to describe contextual factors and evaluate if organizational climate and implementation strategy influenced outcome, when a computer-based concept for lifestyle intervention was introduced in primary health care (PHC). METHOD: The study was conducted using a prospective intervention design. The computer-based concept was implemented at six PHC units. Contextual factors in terms of size, leadership, organizational climate and political environment at the units included in the study were assessed before implementation. Organizational climate was measured using the Creative Climate Questionnaire (CCQ). Two different implementation strategies were used: one explicit strategy, based on Rogers' theories about the innovation-decision process, and one implicit strategy. After 6 months, implementation outcome in terms of the proportion of patients who had been referred to the test, was measured. RESULTS: The CCQ questionnaire response rates among staff ranged from 67% to 91% at the six units. Organizational climate differed substantially between the units. Managers scored higher on CCQ than staff at the same unit. A combination of high CCQ scores and explicit implementation strategy was associated with a positive implementation outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Organizational climate varies substantially between different PHC units. High CCQ scores in combination with an explicit implementation strategy predict a positive implementation outcome when a new working tool is introduced in PHC.

Computerized lifestyle intervention in routine primary health care: evaluation of usage on provider and responder levels.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a computerized concept for lifestyle intervention in routine primary health care (PHC). METHODS: Nine PHC units were equipped with computers providing a lifestyle test and tailored printed advice regarding alcohol consumption and physical activity. Patients were referred by staff, and performed the test anonymously. Data were collected over a period of 1 year. RESULTS: During the study period 3,065 tests were completed, representing 5.7% of the individuals visiting the PHC units during the period. There were great differences between the units in the number of tests performed and in the proportion of patients referred. One-fifth of the respondents scored for hazardous alcohol consumption, and one-fourth reported low levels of physical activity. The majority of respondents found the test easy to perform, and a majority of those referred to the test found referral positive. CONCLUSION: The computerized test can be used for screening and intervention regarding lifestyle behaviours in PHC. Responders are positive to the test and to referral. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A more widespread implementation of computerized lifestyle tests could be a beneficial complement to face-to-face interventions in PHC.

Does a physical activity referral scheme improve the physical activity among routine primary health care patients?

Physical activity referral (PAR) schemes or concepts occur in varying forms. Because few physical activity intervention studies have been carried out in routine health care settings, it is difficult to translate research findings into daily practice. The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of a PAR scheme implemented in routine primary health care. The study did not include a control group and was based on the ordinary staff's work efforts and follow-up measures. During a 2-year period, 6300 PARs were issued. Effectiveness was measured by an increase in self-reported physical activity. Half of the patients reached reported increased physical activity both at 3 months (49%) and at 12 months (52%). The proportion of inactive patients decreased from 33% at baseline to 17% at 3 months and 20% at 12 months. The proportion of patients who were physically active on a regular basis increased from 22% at baseline to 33% at 3 months and 32% at 12 months. Neither the patient's age nor the profession of the prescriber was associated with differences in effectiveness. The patient's activity level at baseline, the type of physical activity as well as the reason for the prescription were associated with increased physical activity.

Physical activity referrals in Swedish primary health care - prescriber and patient characteristics, reasons for prescriptions, and prescribed activities.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, practitioners in primary health care (PHC) settings in many countries have issued written prescriptions to patients to promote increased physical activity or exercise. The aim of this study is to describe and analyse a comprehensive physical activity referral (PAR) scheme implemented in a routine PHC setting in Ostergötland County. The study examines characteristics of the PARs recipients and referral practitioners, identifies reasons why practitioners opted to use PARs with their clients, and discusses prescribed activities and prescriptions in relation to PHC registries. METHODS: Prospective prescription data were obtained for 90% of the primary health care centres in Ostergötland County, Sweden, in 2004 and 2005. The study population consisted of patients who were issued PARs after they were deemed likely to benefit from increased physical activity, as assessed by PHC staff. RESULTS: During the two-year period, a total of 6,300 patients received PARs. Two-thirds of the patients were female and half of the patients were 45-64 years. Half of the patients (50.8%) who received PARs were recommended a home-based activity, such as walking. One third (33%) of the patients issued PARs were totally inactive, reporting no days of physical activity that lasted for 30 minutes, and 29% stated that they reached this level 1-2 days per week. The number of PARs prescribed per year in relation to the number of unique individuals that visited primary health care during one year was 1.4% in 2004 and 1.2% in 2005. Two-thirds of the combined prescriptions were issued by physicians (38%) and nurses (31%). Physiotherapists and behavioural scientists issued the highest relative number of prescriptions. The most common reasons for issuing PARs were musculoskeletal disorders (39.1%) and overweight (35.4%), followed by high blood pressure (23.3%) and diabetes (23.2%). CONCLUSION: Ostergötland County's PAR scheme reached a relatively high proportion of physically inactive people visiting local PHC centres for other health reasons. PAR-related statistics, including PAR-rates by individual PHC centres and PAR- rates per health professional category, show differences in prescribing activities, both by patient categories, and by prescribing professionals.

Alcohol consumption and the risk of self-reported perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis in young adult women in a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol consumption has been suggested to be associated with the development of allergic rhinitis (AR), but there is limited data on the topic. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing AR among young women. METHODS: Five thousand eight hundred and seventy Danish women aged 20-29 years participated in a prospective cohort study, and were free of seasonal and perennial AR at baseline (1991-1993). Alcohol consumption was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. The main outcome measures were self-reported information on seasonal and perennial AR debuting during a mean follow-up period of 7.8 years. RESULTS: During follow-up, 831 women developed seasonal AR and 523 women developed perennial AR, corresponding to 14% and 9%. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with the risk of developing perennial AR. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for perennial AR was 1.78 (95% CI, 1.13-2.80) among women drinking more than 14 drinks/week compared with women drinking <1 drink/week. There was no association between alcohol consumption and seasonal AR. Having one or two parents with asthma was, after adjustment, significantly associated with the risk of developing seasonal (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.65-2.45) and perennial AR (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.70-2.74). Smoking was not associated with an increased risk of developing AR. CONCLUSION: In this population of young adult women, alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of developing perennial AR.

Feasibility and validity of a computer administered version of SEIQoL-DW.

Computer administrered QoL instruments are increasingly used to assess outcomes. Our aim was to assess the feasibility and validity of an electronic version of the SEIQoL-DW. Pharmacy students (n = 40; mean age 25; 92% women) were administrated both the touch screen and the paper-and-pen versions in a cross-over study. The majority of the students (65 %) preferred the computer version, while almost a third (27%) preferred the paper and pen version. There was no overall order effect and the SEOQoL-DW index mean scores differed with 1.2 between the two versions. Those respondents completing the computer version first had higher scores than those completing the computer version second. The ICC comparing the formats was 0.77 (CI: 0.57-0.88) and the limits of agreement method showed that 85% of the observations were within +/- 1-10 units. Most students (82%) judged their QoL as being equivalent to their SEIQoL-DW score. The computer version of the SEIQoL-DW seems to be feasible and acceptable and seems to be valid alternative to the paper and pen version. However, further validation studies in larger patient populations are needed.

Usual drinking patterns and non-fatal injury among patients seeking emergency care.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association between drinking patterns, irrespective of whether alcohol was consumed in the event of the injury or not, and different injury variables; and to identify settings and situations in which risky drinkers have an increased likelihood of injury. STUDY DESIGN: The study population consisted of all patients aged 18-70 years registered for an injury according to ICD-10 at a Swedish emergency department during an 18-month period. After informed consent, the injury patients were screened for drinking habits by the AUDIT-C questionnaire. The gender, age and drinking pattern of injury patients were compared with the general population. METHODS: A total of 2782 patients aged 18-70 years were registered for an injury during the study period. The number of drop-outs was 631. Drop-outs include those who did not consent to participate, were severely injured, too intoxicated or did not fill out the questionnaire satisfactory. Thus, 77.3% of the target group were included for further analysis (1944 drinkers and 207 abstainers). The patients were categorized into three drinking categories: abstainers, non-risky and risky drinkers. Risky drinkers were defined according to usual weekly consumption of 80g or more of alcohol for women and 110g or more for men and/or heavy episodic drinking (i.e. having six glasses or more one glass=12g alcohol), or both, on one occasion at least once a month, valid for both women and men. To estimate the relationship between drinking patterns and the injury variables (environment, cause of injury, activity and diagnosis), odds ratios (OR) were calculated by logistic regression. Multiple logistic regression was used in order to control for age and sex differences between the various drinking and injury categories. RESULTS: The proportion of risky drinkers was higher in the study population compared with the general population in the same area. When controlling for age and sex, risky drinkers (OR 6.4(adj) Confidence interval CI 1.9-21.2) and non-risky drinkers (OR .4.5(adj) CI 1.4-14.5) displayed an increased risk for injury compared with abstainers, in amusement locations, parks, by or on lakes or seas, especially while engaged in play, hobby or other leisure activities (risky drinkers: OR 2.8(adj) CI 1.3-5.6; non-risky drinkers: OR 2.4(adj) CI 1.2-4.6). All differences between drinking patterns in external cause of injury disappeared when age and sex were considered. During rest, meals and attending to personal hygiene, the non-risky drinkers had a lower probability of injury compared with abstainers (OR 0.3(adj) CI 0.1-0.8). Non-risky drinkers had a higher probability than abstainers of suffering luxation (dislocation) or distortion (OR 1.6(adj) CI 1.1-2.5). Nine per cent of the study population reported that they believed that their injury was related to intake of alcohol. Half of this group were non-risky drinkers (CI for the 13.7% difference was 9.7-17.6). CONCLUSIONS: Few significant associations between drinking pattern and injury remained when age and sex were controlled for.

Attitude changes among emergency department triage staff after conducting routine alcohol screening.

Excessive alcohol consumption is common among injury patients, but routine alcohol interventions seem to be difficult to implement in emergency departments. An obstacle seen in previous studies is the limited time available in a real-world setting for staff to participate in routine alcohol screening and interventions. In the present study, ordinary staff participated in a simple alcohol screening procedure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of this procedure and if there was any change in attitudes and practices among triage staff after the implementation. We analyzed interviews with six staff members and questionnaires completed by 29 nurses and medical secretaries before and after a period of systematic routine screening. The staff reported that the routine worked well and that few patients reacted negatively. A positive change was seen in attitudes towards alcohol preventive measures in general. However, this seems not to be sufficient for the staff to spontaneously engage more actively. In fact, more of the staff were uncertain after the study period whether the emergency department is an appropriate place for alcohol screening and intervention despite an increased role legitimacy and perceived competence. There is a need for further development of alcohol prevention models that are acceptable for the staff to implement as part of the daily routine.

Factors influencing GPs' decisions regarding screening for high alcohol consumption: a focus group study in Swedish primary care.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore factors that influence general practitioners' (GPs') decisions regarding screening for high alcohol consumption. METHODS: GPs working at three primary healthcare centres in Sweden participated in focus group interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and a deductive framework approach was used for the analysis. RESULTS: The majority of the participating GPs did not believe in asking all patients about their alcohol consumption. Reported factors that influenced how many and which patients were questioned about alcohol consumption were time, age of the patient, consultation setting, patient-physician relationship, what symptoms the patient presented with, and knowledge of measures if patients appear to have a high alcohol consumption. Thus, alcohol screening and intervention were not performed in all patient groups as was originally intended, but were performed in limited groups of patients such as those with alcohol-related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of participants in this study was small and the conclusions cannot be generalized, the results provide some valuable insights into why GPs are hesitant to engage in screening for high alcohol consumption. Since prevention of alcohol-related health problems is an important public health issue, many different screening and intervention strategies have to be formulated and evaluated in order to reach patients with both hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption within the healthcare system. Screening all consecutive patients for a limited period or screening patient groups known to include a fairly high frequency of high alcohol consumers are two ways of limiting the time requirements and increasing role legitimacy. Still, there is a need for a broader public health strategy involving many players in the community in alcohol preventive measures, especially in more primary preventive approaches.

Health promotion and rehabilitation: a case study.

BACKGROUND: Since the number of people in Sweden on long-term sick leave has rapidly increased since 1996, new non-biomedical models of occupational rehabilitation are at stake. A group of seven women who had finished medical treatment and rehabilitation but were still on sick leave or temporary disability pension for several years, worked in a problem-based rehabilitation group for 6 months. Focus for the group was on a process of change towards health and work ability. PURPOSE: The aim of this case study was to improve understanding of effects of a problem-based rehabilitation model (PBR) on health promoting processes amongst a group of women on long-term sick leave. METHOD: Data source was a focus group interview. The analysis follows the guidelines of qualitative analysis that emerges from grounded theory. RESULTS: The pedagogical model of PBR enhanced the participant's internal resources such as self-confidence and ability to act in a social setting. External resources such as social support were improved. An individual follow-up was conducted 2 years after the rehabilitation process and four out of seven women had returned to work. CONCLUSION: Among this group of women PBR launched health-promoting processes. When the more medically oriented treatment is finished or is not able to contribute further to the individual's recovery, other aspects of the individuals abilities and health resources will be focused upon.

A 6-month controlled naltrexone study: combined effect with cognitive behavioral therapy in outpatient treatment of alcohol dependence.

BACKGROUND: In several studies, patients with alcohol dependence treated with the opioid antagonist naltrexone have shown fewer relapses to heavy drinking than those receiving placebo. An interaction between the naltrexone effect and the type of psychological therapy has been observed. METHODS: A 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was performed at 10 different investigation sites. After a placebo run-in period of 1 week, 118 patients were randomized into 4 treatment groups-50 mg of naltrexone daily or placebo in combination with either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or supportive therapy. The CBT was performed over nine sessions according to the manual of Project MATCH (Matching Alcoholism Treatments to Client Heterogeneity). The supportive therapy was defined as "the treatment as usual." Alcohol consumption, craving, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, medication compliance by tablet count, and adverse clinical events were assessed at all visits. Other liver enzymes and psychiatric symptoms were also determined. RESULTS: Ninety-one (77%) patients completed the study, and 92 (78%) were 80% compliant with the medication regimen. A lower percentage of heavy-drinking days was shown in the naltrexone group (p = 0.045) compared with the placebo group, as was a lower craving score (p = 0.029). These results are supported by the lower levels of liver enzyme activities (p < 0.010 for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase), but not by the carbohydrate-deficient transferrin levels, in the naltrexone group. The mean time period before the first day of heavy drinking was longer for the group treated with CBT (p = 0.010), especially in combination with naltrexone (p = 0.007). Naltrexone was well tolerated, and no patients discontinued the study due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the effect of naltrexone in outpatient treatment of alcohol dependence and suggests that a beneficial interaction effect with CBT can be expected.

Health related quality of life in Crohn's proctocolitis does not differ from a general population when in remission.

OBJECTIVE: All treatment in Crohn's disease, although palliative, aims at restoring full health. The objective of this study was to compare health-related quality of life and psychosocial conditions in patients with Crohn's proctocolitis with a general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven patients with Crohn's proctocolitis (median age 44 years, 44.1% men) were compared with 266 controls (median age 45 years, 50.7% men). A questionnaire consisting of the Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) evaluating general health as well as questions regarding psychosocial conditions was used. Disease activity was evaluated by Best's modification of the classical Crohn's Disease Activity Index. RESULTS: Patients in remission had a health related quality of life similar to controls according to the SF-36 apart from general health where scores were lower (P < 0.01). Patients with active disease scored lower in all aspects of the SF-36 (P < 0.001 or P < 0.0001) as well as the PGWB (P < 0.0001). In a model for multiple regression including age, gender, concomitant small bowel disease, permanent stoma, previous colonic surgery, disease activity, duration, and aggressiveness, disease activity was the only variable negatively predicting all 8 domains of the SF-36 in the patient group (P < 0.001). The mean annual sick-leave for patients and controls were 33.9 and 9.5 days (P < 0.0001), respectively. Sixty-eight percent of the patients and 78.4% of the controls (P = 0.04) were married or cohabited, 67.7% and 78.0% (P = 0.04), respectively, had children. CONCLUSION: The health related quality of life for patients with Crohn's proctocolitis in remission does not differ from the general population. The disease has, however, a negative impact on parenthood, family life and professional performance.

Sociodemographic gender differences in patients attending a community-based alcohol treatment centre.

This study included all individuals attending a community-based treatment centre during a 4-year period. Patients were referred to the treatment centre from the primary health care (17%), social insurance office (8%), social workers (19%), employers (7%), prisons and probation administration (3%), on their own initiative (25%), and by other means (21%). The participants, 355 men and 164 women, all between 18 and 64 years of age, were compared with the total population in the municipality with regards to gender differences in sociodemographic characteristics. Adult life circumstances such as legal problems, broken relationships, unemployment and lower social class, in both men and women, were clearly associated with an alcohol dependence or at least of seeking help for this problem. The study also emphasises important social consequences of alcohol dependence in women, such as legal problems and drunk driving, normally associated with male alcohol dependence. The study revealed that living with an abusing partner was associated with a higher frequency of alcohol dependence in women. The findings are important issues to address when offering treatment to women with alcohol dependence.

Impact of water-induced diuresis on excretion profiles of ethanol, urinary creatinine, and urinary osmolality.

This article reports the impact of diuresis on urinary excretion of ethanol in seven healthy volunteers who drank 1000 mL of export beer (44 g ethanol) in 30 min and, 120 min later, ingested 500 or 1000 mL of water within 5 min. Urine was voided before drinking started and every 30-60 min for 360 min after the start of drinking. The concentration of ethanol in urine (UAC) was determined by headspace gas chromatography, the creatinine content was determined by Jaffe's method, and osmolality was measured by freezing point depression. Maximum diuresis coincided with the peak UAC and was reached 60-90 min after the end of drinking. The urinary creatinine and osmolality dropped appreciably after drinking beer, and the lowest values coincided with peak diuresis. Creatinine was < 0.2 g/L in 22% of urine specimens, and osmolality was < 200 mOsm/kg in 31% of specimens. Production of urine decreased as UAC entered the postabsorptive phase but increased again after the subjects drank water 120 min after alcohol consumption. The amount of ethanol recovered in urine was 681 mg (standard deviation [SD] 203 mg) corresponding to 1.5% (SD 0.46%) of the dose administered. The concentrations of ethanol in successive voids during the postabsorptive phase were not influenced after subjects drank 500 or 1000 mL of water although diuresis increased and urinary creatinine and osmolality decreased. Measuring UAC provides a reliable way to monitor recent drinking, and unlike the analysis of illicit drugs in urine, the concentrations of ethanol are not influenced by diuresis.

Monitoring ethanol exposure in a clinical setting by analysis of blood, breath, saliva, and urine.

BACKGROUND: Several new technologies have been developed for estimating blood alcohol concentration (BAC), among others, by the analysis of alcohol in saliva specimens. The Q.E.D. is a new quantitative test designed for measuring ethanol in saliva and promising results have been obtained in various experimental settings. METHODS: In the present study, venous BAC was determined in 28 patients on arrival and when they were discharged from a detoxification unit. The results were compared with breath, saliva, and urine alcohol concentrations. Headspace gas chromatography was used for analysis of ethanol in blood and urine, and breath alcohol was determined with an Alcolmeter S-D2 instrument. RESULTS: The concentration of alcohol in urine was always higher than the BAC (mean difference, 0.62 mg/ml) and individual values were highly correlated (n=42; r=0.92). The handheld breath-alcohol instrument (Alcolmeter S-D2) showed good agreement with venous BAC (n=52; r=0.97; mean difference, 0.04 mg/ml). The saliva-alcohol test failed to perform well in our tests (n=36; r=0.75; mean difference, 0.55 mg/ml) mainly because of problems encountered in obtaining a sufficient sample for analysis in highly intoxicated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the relatively low cost of the Q.E.D. ' saliva test, in comparison with a breath alcohol analyzer, the saliva test could be a cost-effective alternative in public health settings where mildly to moderately intoxicated persons are encountered.