Review

Estimating Alcohol Consumption
Jonathan Chick^a, Esko Kemppainen<sup>b

a</sup>University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK;
^bHelsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

Address of Corresponding Author

Pancreatology 2007;7:157-161 (DOI: 10.1159/000104249)

  Key Words

• Acute pancreatitis
• Aetiology
• Estimation of alcohol consumption
• Questionnaire
• Biochemical testing

  Abstract

Alcohol use is one of the two main aetiologies of acute pancreatitis. Detection of excessive alcohol consumption is problematic, illustrated by the fact that self-reports of alcohol consumption account for only approximately 50% of the reported sales of alcohol. To improve the reliability, structured questionnaires and various biochemical markers have been developed to estimate alcohol consumption objectively. Further, the pattern of drinking and level of consumption within the past 2 weeks may alter the clinical picture of the acute pancreatitis. The aim of this paper is to remind the clinician of the importance of accurate and complete history, the need to document the actual alcohol consumption, pattern of drinking, clinical signs of alcoholism and to use biochemical tests and sometimes questionnaires.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel and IAP

  Author Contacts

Jonathan Chick
Royal Edinburgh Hospital
Edinburgh EH10 5HF (UK)
E-Mail jonathan.chick@lpct.scot.nhs.uk

  Article Information

Published online: June 21, 2007
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 29