Citation

Liniger B, Nguyen A, Friedrich-Koch A, Yegles M. Traffic Injury Prev. 2010; 11(2): 123-126.

Affiliation

Institut fur Rechtsmedizin, Verkehrsmedizin & Klinische Forensik, Universitat Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. bruno.liniger@irm.uzh.ch

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389580903518280

PMID

20373230

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) determinations in the hair of self-reported teetotalers were reviewed and compared with carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) blood tests (by immunochemistry and high-performance liquid chromatography [HPLC]). METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 154 people whose fitness to drive had to be assessed because of the suspicion of relevant alcohol problems. RESULTS: EtG was detected in 55 percent of the hair samples and abstinence thus disproved. In two thirds (67%) of these cases, alcohol consumption was even shown to be excessive (EtG values > 30 pg/mg). Of the EtG-positive subjects 54 and 82 percent had CDT values within the reference range by immunochemistry and HPLC, respectively. Thirty-nine percent of the EtG-negative subjects had increased immunochemical CDT values; in contrast, 96 percent had HPLC CDT values within the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: EtG analysis in hair is a useful tool for assessing fitness to drive in suspected drinking drivers; compared to CDT values it provides a direct and unequivocal marker for reliable abstinence monitoring over a period of several months, depending on the length of the hair.

Language: en