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Chromatographically identified alcohol‐induced haemoglobin adducts as markers of alcohol abuse among women
Author(s) -
Liisa Hurme,
Kaija Seppä,
Hannu Rajaniemi,
Pekka Sillanaukee
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2362.1998.00258.x
Subject(s) - alcohol , alcohol abuse , alcohol consumption , medicine , ethanol , chemistry , gastroenterology , biochemistry , psychiatry
Background Alcohol‐induced changes in haemoglobin have been suggested as potential biochemical markers of alcohol abuse. In this study, we investigated the diagnostic value of alcohol‐induced haemoglobin adducts among women. Methods Whole (Hb fractions) and affinity‐purified (AHb fractions) haemolysates from 87 women in three groups — (a) social drinkers ( n = 31), (b) heavy drinkers ( n = 27) and (c) alcoholic subjects ( n = 29) — were analysed by HPLC–CEC. Results Three fractions (HbA1a2, HbA1d1 and AHbA1d1) showed significant differences ( P < 0.05) between the groups and a significant positive correlation ( P < 0.05) with self‐reported alcohol consumption ( r = 0.58–76) as determined by the Malmö modified Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MmMAST) and structured CAGE questionnaire ( r = 0.58–0.76). HbA1a2, HbA1d1 and AHbA1d1 had specificities of 97%, 97% and 100% respectively and detected 41%, 33% and 78% of heavy drinkers with overall accuracies (OAs) of 71%, 67% and 90%. Sensitivities in the detection of alcoholic subjects were 86% (OA = 92%), 76% (OA = 87%) and 81% (OA = 91%) respectively. The fractions had higher OAs than traditional markers of alcohol abuse. Conclusion This study indicates that at least three alcohol‐induced haemoglobin adducts occurring in vivo can be measured with promising diagnostic efficiency among women.