Gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (GGT) and alcohol abstinence - Diagnostic potential and limits of interpretation

Gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase values are frequently used as markers of alcohol abuse. The authors discuss the following questions: To what extent is GGT a useful and valid diagnostic parameter when people claim to be abstaining from alcohol after a period of alcohol abuse or dependency? Data is presented of GGT values from male alcoholics a) on the first day of hospitalisation for detoxification and therapy and b) after a period of alcohol abstinence of between four and six months. After the period of abstinence of four to six months about 90 per cent of all male alcoholics reached values of no more than 28 u/l measured at 25 (degrees)C). Compared to samples of GGT values taken from apparently healthy male adults during routine medical check-ups at the place of work, both extremely high and extremely low GGT values were found less often in the samples of abstinent alcoholics.