are 3 questions enough to detect unhealthy alcohol use?
GROUND: Both the 10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and its abbreviated 3-item version (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption [AUDIT-C]) are considered to detect unhealthy alcohol use accurately. PURPOSE: To examine whether the AUDIT-C is as accurate as the full AUDIT for detecting unhealthy alcohol use in adults. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and BIOSIS Previews from 1998 to July 2008. STUDY SELECTION: Three independent reviewers selected studies that administered both the AUDIT and the AUDIT-C, applied a valid reference standard, avoided verification and incorporation bias, and reported relevant data. No language restrictions were applied. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers extracted study characteristics and outcome data, which were cross-checked by a third reviewer. One reviewer assessed methodological quality with a standardized checklist. DATA SYNTHESIS: Fourteen studies were found. Most involved primary care p
