Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: risk; it does not mean not at risk, as the ShARPS/CARET indicates.Also in accordance with the WHO, the ARPS distinguishes between hazardous (at risk for problems) and harmful drinkers (presence of problems) rather than combining them into a general at-risk category.No evidence is available that justifies the value of combining hazardous and harmful drinking, as was done in the ShARPS/ CARET.Since the original panel created the ARPS scoring algorithms in 1999, my colleagues and I have done extensive reviews of the literature and consulted with experts to incorporate new knowledge about alcohol use in older people and to refine the scoring system.The substantively revised and updated ARPS 4 is selective about the medications it includes, so that it distinguishes between drinking levels and sedating and nonsedating antihistamines, for example, and includes newer types of medications, including muscle relaxants, sleeping medications, and antidiabetic agents.The ShARPS/CARET focuses on general medication categories (e.g., for allergies).Important comorbidities such as depression and diabetes mellitus and functional decline are not included in the ShARPS/CARET, although they are in ARPS, because the evidence and the experts agree that they are essential in accurately evaluating alcohol's effects in older persons.Table 1 summarizes some of the differences between the measures.Why is all of this important?Study integrity is only part of the answer.The effect of inappropriate conclusions can be substantial.We need valid methods to measure the determinants and outcomes of alcohol use in older adults so that we can better understand and manage hazardous and harmful drinking.It is essential that researchers and clinicians use the ARPS (or any measure) and its derivatives only for their validated purposes.I would advise readers not to make decisions regarding alcohol use in older adults solely on the basis of this study.
Author: Alison A. Moore
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles
Language: English
Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2170216937