Prevalence of hazardous drinking and suspected alcohol dependence in Japanese primary care settings.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the prevalence of hazardous drinking and potential alcohol dependence among Japanese primary care patients, and their readiness to change and awareness of others' concerns. METHODS: From July to August 2023, we conducted a multi-site cross-sectional study as a screening survey for participants in a cluster randomized controlled trial. The trial included outpatients aged 20-74 from primary care clinics. Using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) alongside a self-administered questionnaire, we evaluated the prevalence of hazardous drinking and suspected alcohol dependence, patients' readiness to change, and their awareness of others' concerns. RESULTS: Among the 1388 participants from 18 clinics, 22% (95% confidence interval (CI) 20% to 24%) were identified as engaging in hazardous drinking or suspected of being alcohol dependent. As the AUDIT scores increased, so did their readiness to change. However, only 22% (95%CI 16% to 28%) of those with scores ranging from 8 to 14 reported that others, including physicians, had expressed concerns about their drinking during the past year. For those with scores of 15 or higher, the figure was 74%. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the need for universal or high-risk alcohol screening and brief intervention in Japanese primary care settings. Trial registry UMIN-CTR (https//www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/) (UMIN000051388).