A utilitarian comparison of two alcohol use biomarkers with self-reported drinking history collected in antenatal clinics.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Alcohol use is reported accurately among pregnant women in some populations. METHODS:Self-reported alcohol use via the AUDIT and 90-day recall for 193 women from antenatal clinics was compared to biomarker results: phosphatidylethanol (PEth) from bloodspots and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in fingernails. RESULTS:AUDIT was positive for 67.9% of respondents, and 65.3% directly reported drinking. Individual biomarkers detected less drinking (PEth?=?57.0%, EtG?=?38.9%) than self-report. But 64.8% had drinking-positive values (>8?ng) on one or both biomarkers, which was not significantly different from self-report. Biomarkers indicated that 3.1% -6.8% of drinkers denied drinking. Combined biomarker sensitivity was 95% -80% and specificity 49% -76% for drinking in the previous 7-90 days. Combined biomarker results have their best yield (89.6%) and accuracy (78.8%) when measuring 90?day drinking. CONCLUSIONS:Women reported their alcohol use accurately, and the combined use of PEth and EtG is supported.

SUBMITTER: May PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5878131 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature