[The use of discriminant analysis in the classification of the alcohol intake in a general adult population].

Different studies have highlighted the efficacy of some laboratory parameters as markers of the abuse of alcohol in alcoholics populations. The intent of the present study has been to verify if the same variables are able to discriminate the intake of alcohol also in a general population. The survey has been carried out on 510 subjects (224 males and 286 females), between 20 and 70 years old, living in a rural area in the North of Italy. Statistically relevant differences have been found amongst mean values of mean globular volume (VGM), containing hemoglobin (MCH), gamma-glutamil transferase (GGT), HDL cholesterol (ColHDL), tryglycerides, apoproteins-A (APO-A), serum glutamic-ossalacetic transaminase (SGOT), leukocyte, lead blood level in subgroups of population stratified according to drinking habits (heavy, moderate and medium drinkers). The discriminant function analysis, applied using all the 18 parameters as continuous variables, allows the correct classification of 57.84% of the cases amongst moderate, medium and heavy drinkers. The most influent selected variables result lead blood level, GGT, hematocrit and MCH. If we leave out the lead blood level (not weighted as a routine) the percentage falls to 52.35%. The analysis carried out on "extreme" groups (moderate and heavy drinkers) identifies as most influent the lead blood level, GGT, APO-A, and VGM variables, allowing the correct classification of 90.14% of the cases (83.39% excluding the lead blood level, selecting GGT, hematocrit, VGM and serum glutammic-piruvic transaminase. The casual reselection of samples confirms the obtained data, giving evidence of the independence of the used variables from particular characteristics of the sampled population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)