Publication:

Importance of hematological and biochemical findings in alcoholics admitted to emergency department

Background Alcoholism represents one of the most serious worldwide socioeconomic and health problems. An alcoholic is a person who consumes an amount of alcohol capable of producing pathological changes. The amount of alcohol capable of producing disease depends on a variety of factors, including genetic predisposition, malnutrition and concomitant viral infections of the liver. The association of heavy alcohol intake with a significant increase of all cause and non-cardiovascular mortality rates especially by cirrhosis, cancer and violent deaths.

Methods This study was conducted on 500 patients who were taken from the emergency department over a period of one year, they were divided into two groups as none drinkers and heavy drinkers. 250 subjects were in each group. Frequency, quantity and type of alcohol were noted for each group. Patients presenting to emergency with known history of diabetes, anemia and hepatic encephalopathy were excluded.

Results In our study there was no significant difference in the bio chemical tests of heavy drinkers and non-drinkers with respect to Glucose, sodium, potassium, chloride, Total Protein, albumin, globulin. But in current study significant difference in the values of GGT, ALT, AST and alkaline phosphatase (P>0.05) were noted among non-alcoholics and heavy drinkers.

Conclusions Some of the Hematological parameters(MCV) and biochemical parameters like GGT, AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase could be used for the diagnosis and treatment of alcoholism along with clinical examination if history about alcohol is missing.