title: Utility of liver function tests for screening "alcohol abusers" who are not severely dependent on alcohol.
abstract: This study evaluated the utility of using liver function tests to identify low dependence outpatient "alcohol abusers" (N = 253) and for evaluating changes in their drinking over the course of treatment. Despite drinking at levels considered to pose a health risk (i.e., drinking on 72% of all days in the year prior to treatment and averaging 6.3 drinks per drinking day), nearly two-thirds had normal liver function tests at treatment entry. It is concluded that for problem drinkers the cost of using liver function tests outweighs the benefits.
authors.affiliation: Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314, USA. sobelll@cps.nova.edu
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Sobell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Sobell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests