Effects of five different alcoholic drinks on patients with Crohn's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Many patients with Crohn's disease (CD) complain of abdominal discomfort after alcohol intake. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanol and sugar content in five different alcoholic drinks on abdominal discomfort in patients with CD.


METHODS
In a crossover study, two weeks apart, 12 healthy individuals and 20 patients with CD in remission consumed randomly red wine, white wine, Smirnoff Ice, Elephant Beer and pure ethanol. Blood samples were obtained for determination of serum ethanol and plasma glucose at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min. A self-reported pain symptom score was used.


RESULTS
There was no difference between CD patients and healthy individuals in the area under the curve (AUC) for the ethanol concentration after intake of the five different drinks. The plasma AUC for glucose in the CD patients after intake of Smirnoff Ice and Elephant beer was significantly increased (p<0.05) in comparison with that in the remaining three alcoholic drinks. Abdominal pain manifestations were significantly more pronounced in CD patients following intake of Smirnoff Ice and Elephant beer, with their higher sugar concentration, compared with intake of the remaining three drinks (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows no difference in alcohol absorption between CD patients and controls. The alcoholic drinks Smirnoff Ice and Elephant beer have an increased effect on self-reported abdominal pain in CD patients, probably due to the high sugar content in these drinks.
Hey
Henrik
H
Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark. henrik.hey@vgs.regionsyddanmark.dk
Schmedes
Anne
A
Nielsen
Aneta Alexandra
AA
Winding
Peter
P
Grønbaek
Henning
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose; D000431:Ethanol