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Abstract #154544

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Tulshi D. Saha, PhD, Leb, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)/NIH, 5635 Fishers Lane, Room 3083, Rockville, MD 20892-9304, 301-443-0017, sahatd@mail.nih.gov, Sharon Smith, PhD, LEB, National Institutes of Health /NIAAA, 5635 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD 20892-9304, and Bridget F. Grant, PhD, PhD, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biometry, Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, 5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304, Bethesda, MD 20892-9304.

This study explored alcohol use disorder (AUD) criteria across gender and race-ethnicity groups. A two-parameter logistic Item Response Theory (IRT) model was estimated, and an IRT based Differential Criterion Functioning (DCF) analysis was performed on the existing DSM-IV AUD criteria and a proposed consumption-based criterion. There were very few AUD criteria that exhibited DCF by sex and race-ethnicity. The criteria reflecting impaired control and activities given up had significantly lower discrimination among men than women. The consumption-based criterion had higher discrimination but lower severity among men than women. Other criteria that were significantly higher in terms of severity among men than women were withdrawal, drinking more or for longer than intended and neglect of role responsibilities. Discrimination associated with tolerance, impaired control and consumption criteria was significantly lower among Whites than Blacks, although severity associated with these criteria were lower for Blacks than Whites. No differences were observed for Hispanics. DCF in discrimination and severity parameters by gender and race-ethnicity occurred in opposing directions. Consequently, the total response curve (TRC), which is measured at the scale level, was virtually identical for each sex and race-ethnicity group. This study demonstrates that when alcohol use disorder criteria are freely estimated within gender and race-ethnic groups, some of the AUD criteria display statistically significant DCF. When considered at the scale level, however, the measurement displays a very small degree of differential scale function. We can conclude that all groups will have similar expected raw scores on the AUD latent trait.

Learning Objectives:

• Application of Differential Criterion Functioning (DCF) using Item Response Theory (IRT) on the analysis of alcohol use disoder (AUD) continuum.
• The results suggest that differences may exist in the expression of certain alcohol use disorder criteria among major subgroups of the population.
• The observed criterion-level DCFs appear not to make a difference when considered at the scale level.

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Alcohol Problems

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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