Extrait

Background and study aims There is a lot of evidence about the detrimental impact of hazardous alcohol consumption on health. In older people hazardous alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancers, the onset of dementia and is a major risk factor for falls. Alcohol use in older people is considered a hidden problem, in part because of a reticence on the part of people to seek help and treatment and in part because of wide scale misdiagnosis. The prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption in older people is far higher than initially thought, about 20%, but only a small percentage receive any treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether screening combined with a stepped care treatment approach for older hazardous alcohol users in primary care is more effective at reducing alcohol consumption at 12 months than a minimal treatment intervention. Who can participate? Patients aged 55 or over with an alcohol use disorder What does the study involve? Participants are screened for alcohol use disorders whilst attending for primary care appointments. Those who do have an alcohol use disorder are randomly allocated to either a treatment as usual approach, involving brief advice, or a stepped care approach. Stepped care is a logical rational approach in which more invasive and intensive treatments are only delivered to those who do not benefit from less intensive and invasive approaches. The steps are a short motivational intervention delivered by a practice nurse followed by a more intensive motivational therapy delivered by a trained therapist. Both of these approaches have shown reductions in alcohol consumption in other studies. If neither of these benefit the patient they are referred to specialist alcohol services. Changes in alcohol consumption, alcohol problems and quality of life are analysed over 12 months. The costs of each treatment and what potential savings can be made to the NHS are also assessed. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Not provided at time of registration Where is the study run from? University of Kent (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? April 2007 to April 2007 Who is funding the study? Health Technology Assessment Programme (UK) Who is the main contact? Simon Coulton [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Older hazardous alcohol users

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn