Application of bioelectric impedance methodology and prediction equations to determine the volume of distribution for ethanol

In large-scale epidemiologic studies of drinking behavior there is a need for simple and reliable estimates of the body water compartment of subjects. This, in turn, provides an estimate of the volume of distribution of ingested ethanol and a better estimate of tissue exposure levels than the use of total body weight as the volume of distribution for alcohol. The volume of distribution for ethanol (total body water, TBW) was estimated in a racially mixed group of 276 alcoholics and 166 nonalcoholics (aged 20-59 years) by means of bioelectric impedance methodology (BIA) and by means of prediction equations based upon age, body weight, and height. Estimations of mean TBW from BIA were found to be only slightly higher (1-4%) than those provided by the prediction equations. TBW values generated from both prediction equations were also highly correlated with TBW values obtained by impedance methodology, with the highest correlations observed in females (particularly black) and in alcoholics (particularly female).