Utility of Liver Function Tests for Screening “Alcohol Abusers” Who Are Not Severely Dependent on Alcohol

Abstract

This study evaluated the utility of using liver function tests to identify low dependence outpatient “alcohol abusers” (N = 253) and for evaluating changes in their drinking over the course of treatment. Despite drinking at levels considered to pose a health risk (i.e., drinking on 72% of all days in the year prior to treatment and averaging 6.3 drinks per drinking day), nearly two-thirds had normal liver function tests at treatment entry. It is concluded that for problem drinkers the cost of using liver function tests outweighs the benefits.

Key Words:

• Problem drinkers
• Alcohol misusers
• Liver function tests
• Treatment outcome