Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | Leaflets | Support | Patient+ | Guidelines | Weblinks | Poems | Videos | News | Products | Other
Experience | Leaflets | Support | Patient+ | Guidelines | Weblinks | Poems | Videos | News | Products | Other
Print options: 
Other options: 
Other options:
This is a PatientPlus article. PatientPlus articles are written for doctors and so the language can be technical. However, some people find that they add depth to the articles found in the other sections of this website which are written for non-medical people.
CAGE Questionnaire
Post your experienceThis easy to use patient questionnaire is a screening test for problem drinking and potential alcohol problems.1
The CAGE questions should not be preceded by any questions about alcohol intake - ie its sensitivity is dramatically enhanced by an open-ended introduction.2
A total score of 2 or greater is considered clinically significant (sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 76% for the identification of problem drinking);3 compared with GGT liver function test which detected only a third of patients having more than 16 "drinks" per day.
The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a longer screening tool recommended by the WHO.4
Credits
Developed by Dr. John Ewing, founding Director of the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CAGE is an internationally used assessment instrument for identifying alcoholics.
The CAGE questionnaire is reproduced here with permission. Original in Ewing JA; Detecting alcoholism. The CAGE questionnaire. JAMA. 1984 Oct 12;252(14):1905-7.1 © 1984 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Document references
- Ewing JA; Detecting alcoholism. The CAGE questionnaire. JAMA. 1984 Oct 12;252(14):1905-7. [abstract]
- Steinweg DL, Worth H; Alcoholism: the keys to the CAGE. Am J Med. 1993 May;94(5):520-3. [abstract]
- Bernadt MW, Mumford J, Taylor C, et al; Comparison of questionnaire and laboratory tests in the detection of excessive drinking and alcoholism. Lancet. 1982 Feb 6;1(8267):325-8. [abstract]
- The AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questionnaire, World Health Organisation
Internet and further reading
Acknowledgements EMIS is grateful to Dr Huw Thomas for writing this article. The final copy has passed scrutiny by the independent Mentor GP reviewing team. ©EMIS 2009.
Document ID: 1899
Document Version: 23
Document Reference: bgp25275
Last Updated: 1 Jun 2009
Planned Review: 31 May 2014
Document ID: 1899
Document Version: 23
Document Reference: bgp25275
Last Updated: 1 Jun 2009
Planned Review: 31 May 2014
The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.
Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey
Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.
Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | Leaflets | Support | Patient+ | Guidelines | Weblinks | Poems | Videos | News | Products | Other
Experience | Leaflets | Support | Patient+ | Guidelines | Weblinks | Poems | Videos | News | Products | Other
Print options: Other options:
Other options:
Related pages in Patient UK
Your Experience (^ top of page)
Please add your experience about this condition / medicineHealth Topic information leaflets related to this topic (^ top of page)
Alcohol - A Summary Alcohol and Liver Disease Alcohol and Sensible Drinking Alcohol Detoxification Alcoholism and Problem Drinking Pregnancy and Alcohol Recommended Safe Limits of AlcoholSupport Groups related to this topic (^ top of page)
Abbeycare Foundation Action on Addiction ADAPT Adfam Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire Alcohol Concern Alcohol Focus Scotland Alcoholics Anonymous Alexander Clinic Broadreach House (help for alcohol & drug misusue) Campaign Against Drinking and Driving Castle Craig Hospital Down Your Drink Drinkaware Drinkline Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Aware UK Foundation 66 Four Seasons Health Care Francis House - Assisi Community Care Hebron Trust Institute of Alcohol Studies LawCare Mount Carmel National Association for Children of Alcoholics Nationwide TT Register NOFAS-UK Rainbow House (alcohol/drugs rehabilitation) Turning Point (substance abuse/mental health/learning disabilities) UK Drug Rehab - National Addiction Rehabilitation Directory Vale House Stabilisation ServicesPatientPlus articles related to this topic (^ top of page)
Acute Alcohol Withdrawal and Delirium Tremens Alcohol Related Problems Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) Alcoholism - Recognition and Assessment Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse - Management Assessment of Drug Dependence Barthel's Index of Activities of Daily Living Body Surface Area Calculator (Mosteller) Drug Misuse and Dependence: UK Guidelines Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score Calculator Epworth Sleepiness Scale Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) Calculator General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG) Score Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale How to use the Coronary Risk Prediction Charts for Primary Prevention Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) International Prostate Symptom Score Macrocytosis and Macrocytic Anaemia Obstetric Calculator Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Pierce Suicide Intent Scale Primary Cardiovascular Risk Calculator Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease QRISK2 Cardiovascular Risk Score Screening for Cognitive Impairment Six Item Cognitive Impairment Test Spirometry Calculator Sunburn Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Wernicke-Korsakoff SyndromeUK guidelines related to this topic (^ top of page)
Guidelines on Alcohol Abuse Guidelines on Chronic AlcoholismLinks to other selected websites related to this topic (^ top of page)
Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse Fetal (Foetal) Alcohol SyndromePoems and stories related to this topic (^ top of page)
Born to Binge Brought to a HeadVideos related to this topic (^ top of page)
Links to online videos on Alcohol AbusePatient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)
Recent related news items
Too much booze still bad Alcohol 'protects men's hearts' Synthetic booze bid for Scotland Call for drunk tanks in towns Drink watchdog set to call time on strongest beer ever brewed in UKAll news by related topic
Alcohol Abuse news Alcohol Addiction newsRelated Products (^ top of page)
Medical equipment
Books
Alcohol & Drinking Problems : British Medical Association's Family Doctor Series Alcohol and Drinking (Understanding) Alcoholism. The Facts Alcoholism: The Family Guide Caring for someone with an alcohol problem
Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)
Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites
Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.
Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control over the content of any external links above. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.
Want to advertise on this site? Find out how >>
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information
Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box
Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document
Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure
Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page
Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window
Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice
Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products
Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information
Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box
Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document
Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document
Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure
Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page
Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window
Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice
Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window
Note: this will open in a new window