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Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access published online on November 25, 2007
Blood pressure (BP) changes in alcohol-dependent individuals during a 12-week alcohol relapse prevention study were examined in light of drinking status and biomarkers of alcohol consumption [carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (%CDT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)].
A significant effect of complete abstinence on both SBP (–10 mmHg; P = 0.003) and DBP (–7 mmHg; P = 0.001) when compared to any drinking (SBP and DBP = –1 mmHg) was observed. At week 12, participants with a positive %CDT (
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Abstinence from alcohol significantly decreased the BP and a positive relationship between BP and both alcohol-use biomarkers was illustrated. Since %CDT is more specific than GGT for heavy alcohol consumption, clinicians may monitor the role of alcohol in hypertension using %CDT as a supplemental aid, providing an objective assessment of drinking to influence BP treatment decisions.
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