The chlorpropamide alcohol flush test in diabetes mellitus: methods for objective evaluation

Abstract

In order to study the objective value of the chlorpropamide alcohol flush (CPAF) the facial skin temperature and plasma acetaldehyde methods were compared to the visible response (flush/no flush) on standardized CPAF and alcohol challenge tests in 137 type 2 diabetics. Three criteria of CPAF are defined. A visible facial flush was noted in 53% of the diabetics. An increase in facial skin temperature of at least 1.0 degrees C was found in 90% of the subjects with a visible facial flush (flushers), but in only 14% of non-flushers. An increase in plasma acetaldehyde of at least 4 mumol/l was found in 86% of the flushers and in only 15% of non-flushers. Using these criteria to study CPAF all flushers satisfied at least two and 78% fulfilled all three criteria, while no non-flusher fulfilled more than one and 74% satisfied no CPAF criteria. However, with the alcohol test 5% could be identified as alcohol flushers having a falsely positive CPAF-test. In conclusion, it was possible to evaluate the CPAF test objectively with the facial skin temperature and plasma acetaldehyde methods.