[Alcohol and various occupational medicine aspects].

Abstract

Alcohol related laboratory parameters had been taken from 407 employees (336 males, 71 females) aged 18-65 years on occasion of the annual occupational health survey 1989. In relation to anamnesis, drinking habits and medical findings gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes had been used as markers. Signs of alcohol overconsumption could be seen in 2.8% of the females and in 16.3% of the males, 6.2% of the latter showing somatically complicated abuse. Alcohol dependence was found in 2.1% of the females. In addition 33 employees of a malt factory obtaining an allowance of 2l beer a day had been investigated; 12.1% proved addicts; 9.1% were found to be medically relevant abusers with somatic complications. MCV and gamma-GT turned out to be useful criteria pointing at alcohol overconsumption when used in coherence with anamnesis and medical examination. These parameters are to be obtained by the works' medical officer easily. The importance of those problems concerning the medical check-up for certain occupations is pointed out and the necessity of different means of medical care as well.