Determination of serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in the diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease

BACKGROUND: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a serious and potentially fetal consequence of alcohol use. The diag- nosis of ALD is based on alcohol consumption, physical signs and symptoms, and laboratory tests. The aim of the present study was to assess the reliability of carbohydrate- deficient transferrin (CDT) in the diagnosis of ALD. METHODS: According to the diagnostic criteria for ALD by the Chinese Medical Association in 1995, 76 patients with ALD, 55 patients with alcoholism, 32 patients with nonalcoholic liver disease ( NALD), and 27 healthy subjects (controls) were studied. Serum CDT was assayed by isoe- lectric focusing immunofixation and Comassie blue stai- ning. The levels of alamine aminotransferase (ALT), aspar- tate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma glutamyltrans- ferase (GGT) were also examined. RESULTS: The positive rate of CDT in the patients with ALD was 93.4% (71/76), which was higher than that in those with alcoholism (52.7%, 29/55, P <0.001), in those with NALD (9.4%, 3/32, P <0.001), and in healthy con- trols , respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CDT for ALD was 93.4% and 71.9% , respectively. CONCLUSION: CDT may help diagnose alcoholic liver disease.