title: Profiles of biomarkers of excess alcohol consumption in patients undergoing total hip replacement: correlation with function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients who misuse alcohol may be at increased risk of surgical complications and poorer function following hip replacement. Identification and intervention may lead to harm reduction and improve the outcomes of surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of biomarker elevation in patients undergoing hip replacement and to investigate any correlation with functional scores and complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective study that examined the profile of biomarkers of alcohol misuse in 1049 patients undergoing hip replacement. Results. Gamma-glutamyltransferase was elevated in 150 (17.6%), and mean corpuscular volume was elevated in 23 (4%). At one year general physical health was poorer where there was elevation of γGT, and the mental health and hip function was poorer with elevation of MCV. There were no differences in complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Raised biomarkers can alert clinicians to potential problems. They also provide an opportunity to perform further investigation and offer intervention. Future research should focus on the use in orthopaedic practice of validated screening questionnaires and more sensitive biomarkers of alcohol misuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates a potential substantial proportion of unrecognised alcohol misuse that is associated with poorer functional scores in patients after total hip replacement.
authors: Division of Clinical and Surgical Sciences, Department of Orthopaedics, University of Edinburgh, Room FU413, Chancellor's Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK. paul@jenkinsnet.org.uk
authors: Paul J
authors: PJ
authors: Jenkins
authors: Andrew D
authors: AD
authors: Duckworth
authors: Francis P C
authors: FP
authors: Robertson
authors: Colin R
authors: CR
authors: Howie
authors: James S
authors: JS
authors: Huntley
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase