알콜중독의 이화학적 소견에 대한 약물남용의 영향

Effect of Illicit Drugs on Laboratory Markers of Alcoholism

Combined use of illicit drugs with alcohol is now common practice. This paper examines the commonly used laboratory indicators of alcohol abuse (elevated MCV, GGT, and SGOT values) in subgroups of drug-using and pure alcoholic males admitted to inpatient alcoholism treatment program. 338 consecutive admissions meeting DSM-III diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence were studied. 75% of the subjects abused both alcohol and drugs. The most frequently abused drugs were marihuana, amphetamines and cocaine (50깠 , 31%, and 29% respectively). Overall, drug-using alcoholics had significantly lower abnormal % of MCV and GGT than pure alcoholics. Marihuana abuse was associated with lower GGT values, cocaine abuse with lower MCV values, and heroin abuse with higher GGT and SGOT values. These differences between drug-using and pure alcoholics remained significant even after controlling for variables that affect the laboratory values such as age, quantity, frequency, and duration of alcohol consumption. Out findings indicate that any study of laboratory markers of alcoholism needs to consider concomitant illicit durg use patterns.