title: The chlorpropamide alcohol flush test in diabetes mellitus: methods for objective evaluation.
abstract: In order to study the objective value of the chlorpropamide alcohol flush (CPAF) the facial skin temperature and plasma acetaldehyde methods were compared to the visible response (flush/no flush) on standardized CPAF and alcohol challenge tests in 137 type 2 diabetics. Three criteria of CPAF are defined. A visible facial flush was noted in 53% of the diabetics. An increase in facial skin temperature of at least 1.0 degrees C was found in 90% of the subjects with a visible facial flush (flushers), but in only 14% of non-flushers. An increase in plasma acetaldehyde of at least 4 mumol/l was found in 86% of the flushers and in only 15% of non-flushers. Using these criteria to study CPAF all flushers satisfied at least two and 78% fulfilled all three criteria, while no non-flusher fulfilled more than one and 74% satisfied no CPAF criteria. However, with the alcohol test 5% could be identified as alcohol flushers having a falsely positive CPAF-test. In conclusion, it was possible to evaluate the CPAF test objectively with the facial skin temperature and plasma acetaldehyde methods.
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002747:Chlorpropamide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000431:Ethanol; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012881:Skin Temperature
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D000079:Acetaldehyde; D002747:Chlorpropamide