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Blood and Liver Markers in the Estimation of Alcohol Consumption

  • Chapter
Measuring Alcohol Consumption

Abstract

Despite their high rates of prevalence, problems related to alcohol consumption remain underdiagnosed. The failure to recognize these problems appears to be a mixture of low index of suspicion, uncertainty, inadequate training regarding diagnostic criteria, discouragement over treatment prospects should an alcohol-related diagnosis be rendered, and patient concealment of drinking patterns. The routine inclusion of accurate biochemical tests of recent alcohol consumption in medical exams should, however, result in increased precision in recognition of such problems. Major desirable characteristics of blood markers are sensitivity, specificity, and reliability. Other important features of markers include reproducibility, stability, ease of handling, and suitability for automation.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northport Veterans Administration Hospital Center, Northport, NY

    Paul Cushman Jr.

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  1. Paul Cushman Jr.
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, Maryland, USA

    Raye Z. Litten  & John P. Allen  & 

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Cushman, P. (1992). Blood and Liver Markers in the Estimation of Alcohol Consumption. In: Litten, R.Z., Allen, J.P. (eds) Measuring Alcohol Consumption. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-0357-5_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-0357-5_6

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-6723-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-0357-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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