Sensitivity analysis indicates that from both perspectives the service is very cost effective and may be cost saving .
CONCLUSIONS These results make alcohol screening and counseling one of the highest-ranking preventive services among the 25 effective services evaluated using st and ardized methods .
BACKGROUND The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) has recommended screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse .
This study was design ed to develop a st and ardized rating for the clinical ly preventable burden and cost effectiveness of complying with that recommendation that would allow comparisons across many recommended services .
The Tromsø Study: identification of and a controlled intervention on a population of early-stage risk drinkers.
BACKGROUND In a health survey of more than 21,000 men and women ages 12 - 62 years , measurement of gamma-glutamyltransferase ( GGT ) and answers on five questions on alcohol consumption were used as a basis for selecting an intervention population of early-stage risk drinkers . Altogether 290 men and 48 women met the criteria for inclusion . METHODS The 338 subjects were r and omized to a control group and two intervention groups . The minor intervention consisted of a single consultation during which possible reasons for the elevated GGT were discussed and a pamphlet with advice on changes in drinking habits was h and ed out . In the major intervention group the intervention was directed more specifically toward alcohol , with an extensive interview on drinking habits . In addition , the subjects in this group were offered follow-up consultations for new measurements of GGT .  RESULTS All three groups were examined after 1 year with GGT determination and an interview on change in drinking habits during the past year . At follow-up , significant decreases in mean GGT ( 26.5 U/liter ) and self-reported alcohol intake ( 24.7 g/day ) were observed in the intervention groups compared with the control group . No significant differences were , however , observed between the intervention groups . CONCLUSION The study indicates that modest and simple interventions may yield important changes in drinking habits in early-stage risk drinkers
Sensitivity analysis indicates that from both perspectives the service is very cost effective and may be cost saving .
CONCLUSIONS These results make alcohol screening and counseling one of the highest-ranking preventive services among the 25 effective services evaluated using st and ardized methods .
BACKGROUND The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF ) has recommended screening and behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce alcohol misuse .
This study was design ed to develop a st and ardized rating for the clinical ly preventable burden and cost effectiveness of complying with that recommendation that would allow comparisons across many recommended services .