What is the CAGE questionnaire used for?

• A. Screening for alcoholism.
• B. Screening for depression.
• C. Screening for anxiety.
• D. Screening for nicotine dependence.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is using a brief screen to identify potential alcohol use problems. The CAGE questionnaire is a four-item tool that asks about cutting down, annoyance with criticism, guilt, and an eye-opening drink. If a patient says "yes" to two or more items, it suggests possible alcohol misuse and signals the need for a more thorough assessment for an alcohol use disorder. It’s designed to be quick and practical in busy clinical settings, not to diagnose, but to flag individuals who may benefit from further evaluation.

This tool is specific to alcohol use and dependence, which is why it’s not appropriate for screening depression, anxiety, or nicotine dependence. If the screen is positive, clinicians typically follow with a more comprehensive review (such as the AUDIT) to determine the severity and necessary steps.