Influence of Body Mass Index on Hair Ethyl Glucuronide Concentrations

Aim Analysis of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) concentrations in hair is increasingly used to estimate the consumption of alcohol of the prior months. Linear correlations between the amount of alcohol consumed and the concentration of EtG in hair have been reported, and several variables that may influence this correlation have been investigated: e.g. cosmetic hair treatments, gender influences or hair color. Here, we investigate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on this correlation. Methods A post hoc analysis on the influence of BMI on the relation between amounts of alcohol consumed and the measured EtG concentrations in hair in 199 participants. Results Our data show higher EtG concentrations in participants with high BMI (≥25) compared to participants with low BMI (<25) ( P = 0.001) across a wide range of amounts of alcohol consumed. Conclusions We conclude that BMI should be taken into account when interpreting hair EtG concentrations. Short summary Ethyl glucuronide concentrations in hair (hEtG) can be used to estimate the consumption of alcohol of the prior months. Body mass index (BMI) influences this relation and BMI should be taken into account when interpreting hEtG concentrations in participants with high BMI (≥25) compared to participants with low BMI (<25).