A comparison between two commercial methods for determining carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT)

The performance of CDTect (Kabi-Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) and two versions of AXIS % CDT (AXIS Biochemicals, Oslo, Norway) for determining carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) was examined in 502 consecutive patients admitted to the Department of Medicine, Aker University Hospital. The sensitivity for detecting an alcohol consumption > or = 50 g/day for the last 4 weeks was 69% for CDTect, 65% for AXIS % CDT, version 1 (AX CDT 1) and 50% for AXIS % CDT, version 2 (AX CDT 2). The specificity at the same level of alcohol consumption, markedly differed between the two methods: 92%, 76% and 90% for CDTect, AX CDT 1 and AX CDT 2, respectively. The variation coefficient (day-to-day) was 10%, 22% and 10% for CDTect, AX CDT 1 and AX CDT 2, respectively.