Using biomarkers to quantify problematic alcohol use
Direct biomarkers detect alcohol even in small amounts shortly after ingestion. But which one is nearly 100% specific for alcohol use?
PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS
› Use a quick screening instrument such as the single-question tool or the AUDIT 1-3 to objectively determine whether patients’ drinking is risky for themselves or for others. C
› Suspect alcoholic liver disease if the ratio of aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase is > 3. C
› Consider using the PEth assay in high-risk patients to differentiate between heavy alcohol use and social drinking. C
Strength of recommendation (SOR)
A Good-quality patient-oriented evidence
B Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence
C Consensus, usual practice, opinion, disease-oriented evidence, case series
CASE
CORRESPONDENCE
Frederick Nunes, MD, Pennsylvania Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, 230 West Washington Square, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104; frederick.nunes@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
