title: Laboratory markers of ethanol intake and abuse: a critical appraisal.
abstract: Laboratory markers for ethanol intake and abuse and chronic alcoholism currently in use have been critically reviewed. The merits and pitfalls of each test have been evaluated. The clinical use of the new test of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin has been particularly emphasized. Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin currently provides the highest specificity and sensitivity of all commonly used markers of alcoholism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, VAMC, Jackson, Mississippi 39216.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mihas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavassoli
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014168:Transferrin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014168:Transferrin; C056759:carbohydrate-deficient transferrin