Alcohol Consumption and Hematology

Abstract

A number of hematological variables have been investigated and followed during a hospital stay in a group of 34 non‐cirrhotic male alcoholics after acute drinking bouts. The most prominent findings were a rise in reticulocytes, a fall in serum iron and a rise in WBC, especially with respect to the lymphocytes. HB and hematocrit values both fell during hospitalization, while ESR and serum haptoglobin rose. No change was observed in the platelet count. It is concluded that alcohol has marked effects on the hematological system even in subjects without serious liver damage. The results underline the importance of an adequate knowledge of the patient̂s alcohol habits in the investigation of obscure hematologic abnormalities.

Haematological Parameters in Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

“…[3,4,5,6,7,8] Earlier studies conducted on cohort of individuals with alcohol dependence have found to have raised Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate especially in patient with alcohol liver disease. [15] In the current investigation 23.8% of individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome in withdrawal state and 32.4% of individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome in delirium have raised Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. 27.4% of individuals with early age of onset had increased Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.…”

“…[12,13,14] Study conducted on a group of 34 individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome found a rise in reticulocytes count, a decrease in serum iron levels, increase in white blood cells counts especially with respect to the lymphocytes and an increase in serum Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. [15] Researchers have observed impaired platelet function, low platelet count and diminished fibrinolysis in individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome. Several studies have found out that thrombocytopenia is a frequent complication in individuals with alcohol dependence syndrome affecting 3% to 43% of mild to moderate severity of alcohol dependence and 14% to 81% of severe alcohol dependence.…”

Induction of Apoptosis and Necrosis in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells by Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters

“…Many clinical and experimental animal model studies have been performed over the years using a variety of systems to document that ethanol or its metabolites impair white blood cell function and cause predisposition to infections (Cook, 1999; Jerrells et al., 1990, 1994; MacGregor and Louria, 1997; Szabo, 1999). A marked reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes has been found in heavy drinkers without showing a similar effect for other white blood cell populations (Meadows et al., 1992; Myrthed et al., 1977;Tonnesen et al., 1990;Young et al., 1979) . Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that ethanol triggers apoptosis in both lymphocytes and monocytes (Ewald and Shao, 1993; Singhal et al., 1999).…”

Hematological Profile of Alcohol Dependent subjects: Report from a Tertiary Care Treatment Centre in India

“…All rights reserved up to 64% of patients with alcohol dependence had lower number of RBC count. It has been hypothesized that reduced number of RBC may be due to direct toxic effects of alcohol including interference of their maturation in the bone marrow [16][17] .…”