Ethnic differences in the consequences of alcohol misuse

The drinking habits of Asian and indigenous patients receiving in-patient care for alcoholism in West London were studied. Although both racial groups reported similar levels of current alcohol intake, the Asians developed problems and presented for in-patient detoxification with a shorter mean duration of drinking than the indigenous subjects. Values for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were higher in the Asians, suggesting the Asians were at greater risk of alcohol-related physical damage. © 1990 Medical Council on Alcoholism.