%0 Journal Article
%T Evaluation of harmful drinking among professional drivers by direct ethanol biomarkers and its relation with psychological distress.
%A do Carmo Artmann A
%A Tegner M
%A de Souza Guterres F
%A Frank Bastiani M
%A Linden R
%A Venzon Antunes M
%J Traffic Inj Prev
%V 25
%N 6
%D 2024 Jun 4
%M 38832915
%F 2.183
%R 10.1080/15389588.2024.2349282
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>This study aimed to evaluate the alcohol consumption among professional truck and bus drivers using direct ethanol biomarkers, and to explore its relationship with anxiety, depression, and stress.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The assessment of potential harmful drinking was conducted through the measurement of direct biomarkers: phosphatidylethanol (PEth), ethyl glucuronide (EtG), and ethyl sulfate (EtS), using dried blood spots (DBS). Additionally, self-reported data from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) were used. Emotional states, including depression, anxiety, and stress, were evaluated using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A total of 97 drivers participated in the study, with the majority being male (96%) and identified as truck drivers (75.3%). Among them, 43.3% reported working more than 10 h daily. The majority of volunteers exhibited normal levels of stress (81.4%), anxiety (83%), and depression (86.6%). According to the AUDIT-C assessment, 30.9% were categorized as having a moderate risk, while 11.3% were deemed to be at high risk for harmful alcohol consumption behavior. Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) levels, indicating recent ethanol consumption, were detected in 14.4% of the drivers. In contrast, the long half-life metabolite PEth (16:0-18:1) was present in 88.7% of the volunteers. A moderate correlation (rs = 0.45, p < .01) was observed between PEth levels and AUDIT-C scores. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, utilizing a PEth threshold of ≥ 59.0 ng ml-1, displayed 78% sensitivity and 73% specificity in effectively distinguishing high risk for alcohol intake. Notably, no significant associations were found between alcohol consumption and levels of stress, depression, and anxiety.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>The study findings indicate a noteworthy proportion of drivers engaging in regular alcohol consumption alongside a demanding workload. Notably, PEth measurements highlighted an underreporting within the AUDIT-C self-reports. These results lend robust support for the utilization of biomarkers in assessing alcohol consumption patterns among drivers.