title: Identification of alcohol abuse and alcoholism with biological parameters.
abstract: The prevalence and incidence of heavy alcohol consumption are major problems which have been increasing in many countries in recent years. It is crucial for physicians to consistently identify early drinking problems as well as the various end disease states in order to minimize suffering and maximize recovery. This paper reviews the evolutionary development of clinical tools for detection of alcohol abuse. The focus is primarily on clinical/biochemical indicators of alcohol abuse, emphasizing but not limited to changes in hematological characteristics, liver enzyme activity, lipids, immune function factors, hormones, neurological factors, and some physically based tests. Use of test combinations and sophisticated statistical analysis of pattern changes in test batteries evidence increased diagnostic efficiency.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000276:immunology; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D001798:Blood Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014131:Trace Elements; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D012643:Selenium