title: Laboratory tests as indicators of alcohol consumption in patients with chronic low back pain.
abstract: The use of laboratory screening tests for the detection of heavy drinking in outpatients implies among other things knowledge about their relation to the degree of alcohol consumption. In this study of 95 patients with chronic low back pain, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase demonstrated the best correlation with the mean daily amount of alcohol consumed (r = 0.74). Adding other serological tests, such as high density lipoprotein cholesterol, aminotransferases and linoleic acid content in lecithin, did not improve this correlation, although these tests also correlated well with the alcohol intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery I, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sandström
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alling
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wallerstedt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000201:enzymology; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001416:Back Pain / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase