[Significance of macrocytosis as an indicator of chronic alcohol abuse]

On the basis of a retrospective study the importance of the haematological parameter MCV (mean corpuscular volume) for the recognition of chronic alcohol addicts was investigated. It was shown that in males a macrocytosis of the erythrocytes (MCV greater than or equal to 100 fl) refers to a daily alcohol abuse of more than 80 to 100 g, when diseases disturbing the blood formation and medicamentous injuries have been excluded. The sensitivity of this haematological screening method lies in the same order of magnitude as the sensitivity in the determination of the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The daily abuse of high per cent spirits seems to have a larger effect on the development of a macrocytosis than the daily abuse of equivalent quantities of beer.