A Zero Score in the TLFB-28 Interview - What is Hidden Behind? - Abstract
Aims: The Alcohol Timeline Followback (TLFB) interview is considered to be a reliable method to assess a person’s alcohol consumption. This is why it is often used in scientific studies to define different drinker groups. The present study aimed to characterize people with a zero score in the TLFB-28 with main emphasis on their drinking habits.
Methods: Inside the alcohol sub-sample of the national FINRISK Study, the alcohol consumption of 479 subjects (167 men and 312 women) with a zero score in the TLFB-28 interview were studied by using answers to the AUDIT questionnaire, one month quantity-frequency (QF) measure and a question of ever-drinking from the basic FINRISK questionnaire. Possible binge or heavy drinkers were identified by using AUDIT scores.
Results: QF measure revealed very few drinkers and the result was thus consistent with the TLFB-28 interview. According to the AUDIT, however, 59.9% scored above zero. Also, based on the ever-drinking question 51.8% drank alcohol at least occasionally while 48.1% were lifetime or non-lifetime abstainers. Even if most of the ever alcohol drinking subjects were moderate drinkers, 6.9% of all those who scored zero in the TLFB-28 were identified as possible binge or heavy drinkers.
Conclusions: The subjects with a zero result in the TLFB-28 are a heterogeneous group when it comes to their alcohol consumption. A zero score in the TLFB-28 cannot be considered a reliable measure to predict alcohol abstinence especially over a longer period of time.