Peripheral markers in the female "hidden alcoholic"

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Clinical Medicine
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Alcoholism affects numerous individuals, necessitating effective screening methods.
• Biochemical markers are often explored for their potential in diagnosing or screening for alcohol use disorders.
• Early detection of alcoholism can lead to timely intervention and improved health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of various biochemical markers in screening for alcoholism in a cohort of previously untreated female patients.
• To determine which specific biochemical markers or combinations thereof are most effective for identifying individuals with alcohol use disorder.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and thrombocyte count.
• Measurement of serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, urate, and triglycerides.
• Statistical evaluation of the diagnostic value of individual markers and their combinations.

Main Results:

• Urate and triglyceride levels showed no significant value for screening purposes.
• Combinations of other biochemical markers, including MCV, thrombocyte count, GGT, and AST, successfully identified up to 75% of the female alcoholics.
• Albumin levels also contributed to the identification of patients.

Conclusions:

• Specific combinations of biochemical markers are valuable for screening previously untreated female alcoholics.
• Mean corpuscular volume, thrombocyte count, and liver enzymes (GGT, AST) are promising indicators.
• Urate and triglycerides are not recommended as screening tools for alcoholism in this population.