P03-251 - Current Findings: Hypoglycemia In Drinkers After 7-10 Days Of Alcohol Use In Doses Of 23 Ml Of Pure Ethanol

Abstract

Objectives

Moderate alcohol use might be detrimental under certain conditions. We examined the efficiency of maintenance of blood glucose level (BGL) at normal range among non-alcohol and moderate alcohol users under intensive mental activities.

Methods

Fourth year medical students - male volunteers (5 non-alcohol and 8 moderate alcohol users who had abstained from alcohol for the last 7-10 days before the study) were involved in the study, which took 6 hrs on fasting. AUDIT, texts and questions, tests on visual, auditory short-term memory and attention were used as a measure. BGL was measured at 2hrs interval. Hypoglycemia was defined according to Galan ED et al (Neth J Med 2006; 64 (8): 269-279) as BGL ≤4.5mMole/L. The t-test was employed for statistical analysis.

Results

Alcohol users on the average drank 23ml of pure ethanol/session and 1-2 times/month. Non-alcohol users had increased BGL (4.02 as initial to 5.76mMole/L after 6hrs) in all phases of the experiment (ð< 0.001). Alcohol users had increase in BGL (0.45mMole/L increase, initial - 4.20) within the first two hours and a significant fall in the 4-6 hrs (p< 0.05) up to 3.80mmole/L, and was accompanied by a significant decrease in mental work productivity coefficient.

Conclusion

Alcohol use even in moderate doses results in hypoglycemia, subsequently leading to low mental work productivity, especially under 4-6 hr intensive mental activities.