Trace Elements Profile among Alcohol Abusers in a Nigerian Community

Abstract

Alcohol abuse has been associated with Trace elements deficiencies which have been known to cause Neuro Psychiatric Disorders. The focus of this study being on locally brewed alcohol is to establish the pattern if any of trace elements derangements. The trace element profile among alcohol abusers in a Nigerian Community was analysed using the 4 – item CAGE instrument to separate alcohol abusers, social drinkers, and total abstainers. The Royal College of Physicians’ criteria 1987 for Alcohol abuse was also used to validate the CAGE score. Using the CAGE score, the following results were obtained, 50 Alcohol abusers (AOA), 47 Social Drinkers (SOD) and 45 Total Abstainers (TOA) emerged out of 162 subjects. Mean values obtained for Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Copper (Cu) were 0.17 nmol/L, 9.03 umol/L, 27.46 umol/L and 25.44 umol/L respectively. This showed that Mn, Fe and Cu were significantly increased while Zn was reduced significantly in alcohol abusers when compared with the control group of total abstainers. Excessive consumption of burukutu seems to significantly alter the trace elements status in abusers. Duration of intake and excessive use of burukutu can be associated with both deficiency and toxicity of essential and heavy metals. Abstinence therefore should continue to be the main stay of counseling.