Quantitative assessment of alcohol-provoked flushing

Objective measurements of temperature and blood flow changes by telethermometry and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV), respectively, were performed continuously in normal subjects after they ingested 0.4 g/kg of ethanol in a volume of 300 mL. Cutaneous temperatures were interpreted by the change in malar thermal circulation index (delta MTCI) method. Both the delta MTCI method and LDV output correlated significantly with the presence of flushing. The delta MTCI method also correlated significantly with LDV output, indicating that the intensity of the flushing reaction can be assessed by both methods. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a positive result were greater with the LDV method. The time to maximum delta MTCI correlated quite closely with the time to maximum LDV output. The results indicate that both LDV and delta MTCI methods are valid, noninvasive assays for flushing reactions.