Excessive drinking can significantly damage the liver, but traditional screenings often rely solely on patient self-reporting, which can be unreliable. Thankfully, a new blood test using the biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth) may offer a more accurate way to assess alcohol-related liver disease risk.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology by researchers at UC San Francisco (UCSF) highlights the potential of this innovative test.
The Limitations of Self-Reporting
“We don’t ask someone how much fatty food they eat. We measure their cholesterol. We don’t ask people how much they think they weigh. We weigh them,” explains Dr. Judy Hahn, a professor in the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at UCSF.
This analogy aptly illustrates the limitations of relying solely on patient self-reporting for alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that individuals may underreport their alcohol intake or struggle to accurately recall their drinking habits.
PEth: A Direct Measure of Alcohol’s Impact
PEth, on the other hand, offers a direct measure of alcohol exposure. This biomarker is produced in the blood when alcohol is metabolized. By analyzing PEth levels, clinicians can gain a clearer picture of a person’s potential alcohol-related liver damage.
In the UCSF study, PEth levels were closely correlated with FIB-4 score, a composite measure of liver fibrosis risk. However, the correlation between self-reported alcohol consumption and FIB-4 was significantly weaker, emphasizing the inadequacy of relying on self-report alone.
Early Intervention and Treatment Options
Liver fibrosis, a condition characterized by scar tissue buildup in the liver, can be effectively treated in its early stages. Without intervention, it can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
“To prevent and manage liver fibrosis, we need to know how much a person is drinking,” stresses Dr. Pamela Murnane, PhD, MPH, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSF and the study’s lead author. “We clearly don’t have a good grasp on that with self-report.”
The UCSF team believes that PEth screening could potentially be integrated into routine blood tests, similar to cholesterol and blood sugar checks, enabling earlier detection and intervention for alcohol-related liver disease.
Ready to Learn More about Liver Health?
Don’t wait for potential problems. Contact your healthcare provider today to learn more about alcohol’s impact on your liver and discuss appropriate screening options.