Citation

Kristenson H. J. Traffic Med. 1989; 17(2): 3-6.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article discusses laboratory tests which can diagnose alcohol consumption levels accurately. Gamma glutamyl transferase (ggt) and mean cell volume (mcv) are the most widely used tests. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (cdt) and acetate have also been reported as suitable markers for analysis in blood samples from drunken drivers. Cdt has been shown to have higher sensitivity specificity and predictive values for excessive drinking than ggt, but the methodology for analysis is not yet satisfactory. Measurement of acetate can only be performed on intoxicated subjects. Although ggt and mcv have shown poor sensitivity in screening they have been successfully used as diagnostic aids. Ggt has also been shown to be very valuable in monitoring treatment outcome. It has also been established as a new risk factor for morbidity and mortality in middle aged men. Many studies have shown that a raised ggt is associated with problem drinking, and it has proved to be a useful and simple tool in identifying and treating heavy drinkers and monitoring their outcome. (TRRL)