title: Drinkwatchers--description of subjects and evaluation of laboratory markers of heavy drinking.
abstract: Clinical examination and measurement of MCV and GGT were carried out on 124 self-referred 'healthy' Drinkwatchers, all of whom had consumed at least 80 g alcohol/day for more than 2 years. The majority (66.1%) were in social classes II and III. Sixty-three subjects (54.1%) had a raised MCV, GGT or hepatomegaly. A raised MCV was significantly more likely to occur in men. Forty-five subjects (36.3%) had an enlarged liver of whom 17 had a normal MCV and GGT. This study shows that MCV and GGT are poor screening tests for excessive alcohol consumption in 'healthy' subjects but, if used at all, MCV appears to be more sensitive in women and GGT in men. Neither test is an adequate substitute for a careful history and full clinical examination.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000502:physiology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase