title: Limitations of CDT and GGT in detecting relapses in patients attending an alcohol problems clinic.
abstract: Biochemical markers of alcohol consumption are useful for the detection and monitoring of problem drinking. Blood samples from 37 patients attending an alcohol treatment clinic were analysed for GGT and %CDT, and results were compared with self-reported periods of abstinence and alcohol consumption. Poor correlation was obtained between GGT and %CDT, and between these assays and self-reported alcohol use. The apparent sensitivity and specificity of GGT (57%, 63%) and %CDT (43%, 88%), were considerably lower than those reported by other workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Limin
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Jarvie
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chick
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D014168:Transferrin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014168:Transferrin; C056759:carbohydrate-deficient transferrin; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase