[Epidemiologic study of CDT (carbohydrate-deficient transferrin) and other indicators of alcohol problems in high blood alcohol German automobile drivers].

Abstract

Alcoholism indicators like CDT, GGT, methanol and acetone + isopropanol were measured in blood samples of male German alcoholized car drivers who were at least 18 years old and had a minimum BAC of 0.80 g/kg (per mille). The investigation of 534 cases reflects German conditions. The study proves that a BAC of 1.60 g/kg (per mille) is no appropriate criterion for the assumption of alcohol problems. Alcohol problems appeared significantly more often in cases where BAC levels were 2.0 g/kg (per mille) or higher. It is thought that a total of 20 to 25% of the alcoholized drivers have serious alcohol problems. Amongst those the proportions were as follows: 8% amongst the under 30s and one third amongst tho over 30s. 40% of all drivers with alcohol problems had BACs below 1.6 g/kg (per mille) during the offence. CDT has proved to be a valuable addition to the other indicators when detecting alcoholism in DWI drivers.