Usefulness of Gamma Glutamyl Transferase As Reliable Biological Marker in Objective Corroboration of Relapse in Alcohol Dependent Patients

Introduction: The development of reliable diagnostic tool for assessing alcoholism is an utmost necessity in treating and preventing damage due to alcoholism to both individual and armed forces as alcoholism represents a serious health issue with major socioeconomic consequences.

Aim: To observe, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) can serve the practical utility of firmly establishing alcohol dependence /relapse in Armed Forces patients and aid in fair disposals.

Materials And Methods: Fifty two consecutive cases of alcohol dependence syndrome admitted to a peripheral hospital were evaluated for the biological marker gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and compared against the gold standard of psychiatrist assessment. The cases were followed up for one year at three months, six months, nine months and 12 months interval. The GGT value of the cases was correlated with the abstinent /relapse status to find the cutoff levels of the GGT as a biological marker.

Results: At cutoff level of 50 IU/lit GGT exhibited specificity of 100% and sensitivity varying from 56% to 100%. At lower cut off levels chances of false positive cases with adverse consequences on service prospects of the individuals are high. The mean difference in GGT levels across relapse and abstinent group reached significant statistical proportion at admission and during follow-up at 3 months /6 months/9 months and 12 months.

Conclusion: GGT can serve the practical utility of firmly establishing alcohol dependence syndrome in armed forces to aid in fair disposal of cases. It helps in providing motivational inputs to patients. Clinician should pay due consideration to clinical profile, ward observation and unit report as the diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome has serious implications towards service prospects of a soldier.