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Age differences in diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV alcohol dependence among adults with similar drinking behaviour
Article first published online: 26 OCT 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03611.x
© 2011 The Authors, Addiction © 2011 Society for the Study of Addiction
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How to Cite
Pabst, A., Kraus, L., Piontek, D. and Baumeister, S. E. (2012), Age differences in diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV alcohol dependence among adults with similar drinking behaviour. Addiction, 107: 331–338. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03611.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 17 JAN 2012
- Article first published online: 26 OCT 2011
- Accepted manuscript online: 10 AUG 2011 01:00PM EST
- Submitted 7 March 2011; initial review completed 3 May 2011; final version accepted 5 August 2011
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Keywords:
- DSM-IV;
- age differences;
- alcohol consumption;
- alcohol dependence;
- diagnostic criteria;
- drinking behaviour;
- measurement
ABSTRACT
Aims To test age differences in the prevalence of DSM-IV alcohol dependence (AD) diagnostic criteria in the adult general population while controlling for drinking behaviour.
Design and setting Cross-sectional data from the 2006 German Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (ESA) were used, applying a two-stage probability sampling design. The survey used self-administered questionnaires and telephone interviews (mixed-mode design; 45% response rate).
Participants The analytical sample consisted of n = 6984 individuals aged 18–64 years reporting alcohol consumption within the previous year.
Measurements Age effects on individual AD criteria were estimated using logistic regression models, adjusting for eight mutually exclusive drinking groups (defined in terms of average daily alcohol intake and episodic heavy drinking) and socio-economic variables.
Findings When controlling for drinking behaviour, 18–24-year-olds were more likely to meet the criteria ‘tolerance’, ‘larger/longer’ and ‘time spent’ relative to older age groups. In contrast, the likelihood of experiencing ‘withdrawal’ symptoms increased with age. There was no significant age effect on the diagnosis of AD.
Conclusions Age differences in the prevalence of specific alcohol dependence diagnostic criteria such as ‘tolerance’, ‘drinking larger amount or for longer than intended’ and ‘time spent recovering’ cannot be fully explained by differences in drinking behaviour.