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Clinical evaluation of carbohydrate deficient transferrin as an indicator of alcohol dependence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Prakash C Naik ,
Tim Webb  and
Phillip C McLean
Prakash C Naik
Affiliation:
Lyndon Clinic, Hobs Meadow, Solihull, England
Tim Webb
Affiliation:
West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 2QZ, England
Phillip C McLean
Affiliation:
Addiction Unit, Mapperley Hospital, Nottingham NG3 6AA, England
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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) as an indicator of alcohol dependence (DSM 111R). Method: Subjects included 18 patients with alcohol dependence and 36 controls (15 recovering alcohol dependents and 21 blood donors). Blood samples from the subjects were analysed for CDT, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and γ Glutamyltransferase (γGT). These indicators were compared for their sensitivities and specificities to detect excessive alcohol use. Results: Amongst patients with alcohol dependence, CDT was detected in all (100%), γGT was raised in 8 (44%) and MCV was raised in 4 (22%). CDT was detected in five of the 36 controls. Conclusion: CDT was the most sensitive indicator of alcohol dependence. However, CDT showed a much higher false positive rate compared to previous studies. More research is required to elicit at what level of alcohol consumption CDT becomes positive. CDT could prove to be a clinically useful indicator of excessive alcohol use in future.

Keywords

Carbohydrate deficient transferrinAlcohol dependenceMean corpuscular volumeγ Glutamyl-transferase
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , June 1994 , pp. 64 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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