Multicenter validation study of the %CDT TIA kit in alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.

Background: Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) are used as biomarkers of alcohol misuse. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, the performance of the new Bio-Rad %CDT TIA kit and GGT assay for identifying alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence (according to the DSM-IV criteria).

Methods: An open multicenter study (30 centers) over 3 months, including patient groups of "abusers," "dependents," and controls, was conducted in France.