Detection of relapses in alcohol-dependent patients: comparison of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in serum, 5-hydroxytryptophol in urine, and self-reports.
In this study, detection of relapses in male alcohol-dependent patients by biochemical markers and self-reports of alcohol consumption were examined. The patients were trying to stay abstinent from alcohol for 6 months. Four of 15 patients dropped out from treatment after 50-110 days. Ratios of urinary 5-hydroxytryptophol (5-HTOL)/5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid and 5-HTOL/creatinine were measured daily and serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) once a week. Clinical ratings and self-reports about alcohol consumption were performed three times a week. According to the self-reports, 3 of the patients drank alcohol frequently, 5 of them sporadically, and 7 of the patients reported no alcohol intake at all. According to the 5-HTOL marker, 4 of the patients drank alcohol frequently, and 11 of them sporadically. No one had all urinary levels of 5-HTOL marker below the reference level. According to the CDT, 3 of the patients drank alcohol frequently, 3 sporadically, and in 9 of the patients no elevated levels of CDT were found. Elevated levels of CDT were preceded by increased values of 5-HTOL marker. The combined results suggested that no one of the patients was totally abstinent from alcohol during the treatment period. The 5-HTOL marker seemed to be useful to reveal recent alcohol drinking, and CDT proved to be useful to validate the patients' self-reports. Together the two biochemical markers showed complementary properties in early detection of relapse and treatment monitoring.
Carlsson
A V
AV
Department of Psychiatry, St. Görans's Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Hiltunen
A J
AJ
Beck
O
O
Stibler
H
H
Borg
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015415:Biomarkers; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000652:urine; D006917:Hydroxytryptophol / Q000652:urine*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013695:Temperance; D014168:Transferrin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D014342:Truth Disclosure
D015415:Biomarkers; D014168:Transferrin; C056759:carbohydrate-deficient transferrin; D006917:Hydroxytryptophol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D003404:Creatinine