The role of laboratory tests in alcoholism treatment.
Although assessment in the field of alcoholism treatment is generally verbal in nature, biological tests can also provide counselors and program evaluators useful and unique information. Five such laboratory measures are briefly described, with particular emphasis on carbohydrate deficient transferrin, a biomarker recently approved by the FDA. Applications for laboratory tests in alcohol screening, motivating patients, and monitoring treatment progress are also proposed.
Division of Clinical and Prevention Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Willco Building, Suite 505, 6000 Executive Boulevard MSC 7003, Bethesda, MD 20892-7003, USA. jallen@willco.niaaa.nih.gov
J P
JP
Allen
R Z
RZ
Litten
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D014168:Transferrin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D014168:Transferrin; C056759:carbohydrate-deficient transferrin; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase