Patients with Alcohol Problems
Authors: David A. Fiellin, M. Carrington Reid, Patrick G. O'Connor
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2001)

Letters6 November 2001Patients with Alcohol ProblemsDavid A. Fiellin, MD, M. Carrington Reid, PhD, MD, and Patrick G. O'Connor, MD, MPHDavid A. Fiellin, MDYale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06520-8025 (Fiellin, Reid, O'Connor)Search for more papers by this author, M. Carrington Reid, PhD, MDYale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06520-8025 (Fiellin, Reid, O'Connor)Search for more papers by this author, and Patrick G. O'Connor, MD, MPHYale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06520-8025 (Fiellin, Reid, O'Connor)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-135-9-200111060-00020 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Drs. Milionis and Elisaf acknowledge the importance of formal screening instruments in helping primary care clinicians identify patients with latent alcohol problems. We agree that selected laboratory tests can provide clues to the presence of unsuspected alcohol problems without having the appropriate operating characteristics to make useful screening tools (1, 2). Drs. Milionis and Elisaf point out that patients with alcohol problems may have electrolyte disorders and cite studies conducted among patients admitted for causes related to alcohol abuse (3, 4). We appreciate their description of this unique cohort of patients and agree that these clues to excessive ...References1. Fiellin DA, Reid MC, O'Connor PG. Outpatient management of patients with alcohol problems. Ann Intern Med. 2000;133:815-27. [PMID: 11085845] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Fiellin DA, Reid MC, O'Connor PG. Screening for alcohol problems in primary care: a systematic review. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:1977-89. [PMID: 10888972] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Elisaf M, Merkouropoulos M, Tsianos EV, Siamopoulos KC. Pathogenetic mechanisms of hypomagnesemia in alcoholic patients. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 1995;9:210-4. [PMID: 8808192] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Elisaf M, Merkouropoulos M, Tsianos EV, Siamopoulos KC. Acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities in alcoholic patients. Miner Electrolyte Metab. 1994;20:274-81. [PMID: 7700215] MedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: David A. Fiellin, MD; M. Carrington Reid, PhD, MD; Patrick G. O'Connor, MD, MPHAffiliations: Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06520-8025 (Fiellin, Reid, O'Connor) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoOutpatient Management of Patients with Alcohol Problems David A. Fiellin , M. Carrington Reid , and Patrick G. O'Connor Patients with Alcohol Problems Haralampos J. Milionis and Moses S. Elisaf Metrics 6 November 2001Volume 135, Issue 9Page: 841KeywordsAlcohol consumptionAlcoholismAlcoholsLaboratory testsPatientsQuestionnairesResearch laboratoriesSpecificitySystematic reviews ePublished: 6 November 2001 Issue Published: 6 November 2001 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2001 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...