Applications and Challenges for the Use of Phosphatidylethanol Testing in Liver Disease Patients (Mini Review)

Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2018 Feb;42(2):238-243. doi: 10.1111/acer.13558. Epub 2017 Dec 28.

Abstract

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct nonoxidative metabolite of ethanol that may be measured in clinical samples as a marker for monitoring alcohol consumption. It has been used in a wide variety of clinical and nonclinical settings; however, its investigation in relation to liver disease has been limited. This study aims at providing a short review on the applications and challenges for the incorporation of PEth testing in identifying alcohol intake in this patient population.

Keywords: Alcohol Consumption; Applications; Challenges; Liver Disease; Phosphatidylethanol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcohol Drinking / blood*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Glycerophospholipids / blood*
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / blood*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glycerophospholipids
  • phosphatidylethanol