ADVANCED APPROACH TO DIAGNOSTICS OF CHRONIC ALCOHOL ABUSE

Abstract

Objectives - to identify the criteria of selecting the applicants for professional drivers who require the carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) assay, which can be applied by an addiction psychiatrist. Material and methods. The extensive analysis of testing results of 232 patients admitted to Samara Regional Narcological Dispensary from its local subsidiaries in Samara and the Samara Region was carried out. Results. The fact of driving in drunk condition in the past was defined as the criterion having the diagnostic value. Conclusion. The patients with the known fact of drunk driving had the majority of positive test results of the chronic alcohol abuse, compared to other groups of patients in this study. These findings make it possible to declare the deprivation of driving license due to the drunk driving to be a valuable criterion to submit the applicant for the CDT assay during his qualifying as a driver.