Alcohol Consumption, %CDT, GGT and Blood Pressure Change During Alcohol Treatment
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 (2.6) had 7 mmHg greater SBP (P = 0.01) and DBP (P <> than those with negative %CDT. Participants with positive GGT (50 IU) had 10 mmHg greater SBP (P = 0.12) and 9 mmHg greater DBP (P = 0.03) than those with negative GGT. The percent change in SBP was correlated with percent change in %CDT (P = 0.003) but not GGT (P = ns). The percent change in DBP was correlated with both percent change in %CDT (P <>P = 0.03).

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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