The roles of two categories of biological markers — those relating to alcohol consumption and those relating to the risk of developing alcohol related problems ‐ are reviewed. Platelet Mono‐amino oxidase levels are low in individuals with a strong inheritance of their drinking problem (Cloninger Type II alcoholics). Elevated gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels identify regular heavy drinkers with a sensitivity between 40–60%. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) has a high specificity (95%) and is useful in detecting regular heavy drinkers in the ambulatory care population if other causes of an elevated MCV can be included. Currently there are no laboratory tests with adequate sensitivity to be used as screening tests for alcoholism. (Aust NZ J Med 1992; 22: 209–213.)
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Greg Whelan (1992) studied this question.
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