Chromatographically identified alcohol-induced haemoglobin adducts as markers of alcohol abuse among women.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol-induced changes in haemoglobin have been suggested as potential biochemical markers of alcohol abuse. In this study, we investigated the diagnostic value of alcohol-induced haemoglobin adducts among women.


METHODS
Whole (Hb fractions) and affinity-purified (AHb fractions) haemolysates from 87 women in three groups (a) social drinkers (n=31), (b) heavy drinkers (n=27) and (c) alcoholic subjects (n=29) - were analysed by HPLC-CEC.


RESULTS
Three fractions (HbA 1a2, HbA1dl and AHbA1d1) showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the groups and a significant positive correlation (P<0.05) with self-reported alcohol consumption (r=0.58-0.76) as determined by the Malmö modified Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MmMAST) and structured CAGE questionnaire (r=0.58-0.76). HbA1a2, HbA1d1 and AHbA1d1 had specificities of 97%, 97% and 100% respectively and detected 41%, 33% and 78% of heavy drinkers with overall accuracies (OAs) of 71%, 67% and 90%. Sensitivities in the detection of alcoholic subjects were 86% (OA=92%), 76% (OA=87%) and 81 % (OA=91%) respectively. The fractions had higher OAs than traditional markers of alcohol abuse.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that at least three alcohol-induced haemoglobin adducts occurring in vivo can be measured with promising diagnostic efficiency among women.
Hurme
L
L
Pharmacia & Upjohn, Uppsala, Sweden.
Seppä
K
K
Rajaniemi
H
H
Sillanaukee
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis
D015415:Biomarkers; D000431:Ethanol; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006454:Hemoglobins