CHROMATOGRAPHICALLY IDENTIFIED ALCOHOL-INDUCED HEMOGLOBIN ADDUCTS AS MARKERS OF ALCOHOL-ABUSE AMONG WOMEN

Background Alcohol-induced changes in haemoglobin have been suggested as potential biochemical markers of alcohol abuse. In this study, we i nvestigated the diagnostic value of alcohol-induced haemoglobin adduct s among women. Methods Whole (Hb fractions) and affinity-purified (AHb fractions) haemolysates from 87 women in three groups - (a) social dr inkers (n=31), (b) heavy drinkers (n = 27) and (c) alcoholic subjects (n=29) - were analysed by HPLC-CEC. Results Three fractions (HbA1a2, H bA1d1 and AHbA1d1) showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the groups and a significant positive correlation (P<0.05) with self-repo rted alcohol consumption (r=0.58-76) as determined by the Malmo modifi ed Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MmMAST) and structured CAGE que stionnaire (r=0.58-0.76). HbA1a2, HbA1d1 and AHbA1d1 had specificities of 97%, 97% and 100% respectively and detected 41%, 33% and 78% of he avy drinkers with overall accuracies (OAs) of 71%, 67% and 90%. Sensit ivities in the detection of alcoholic subjects were 86% (OA=92%), 76% (OA=87%) and 81% (OA=91%) respectively. The fractions had higher OAs t han traditional markers of alcohol abuse. Conclusion This study indica tes that at least three alcohol-induced haemoglobin adducts occurring in vivo can be measured with promising diagnostic efficiency among wom en.