Statistical insights into ethanol testing: demographic variations and laboratory performance – a core laboratory experience

Abstract Objectives This study aims to employ statistical methods to analyze 9,521 ethanol tests, performed for clinical and forensic purposes, conducted between 2020 and 2023 at Istanbul Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital. By assessing the distributions of blood ethanol values across different demographics and laboratory processes, we seek to enrich the literature and provide insights into regional alcohol consumption trends. The data will also cover test turnaround times, rejection rates, and other relevant performance metrics. Methods Ethanol test results were retrospectively reviewed, covering demographic variables such as age, gender, and positivity rates, as well as laboratory data such as blood ethanol level and test request times. Data handling involved statistical analysis to determine trends and correlations among the tested variables. The blood ethanol levels were analyzed spectrophotometrically using an enzymatic method. Results The study observed a predominance of male patients (85 %) with an average age of 32 years. Test results indicated a similar positivity rate between genders, around 16.6 % for males and 17 % for females. The concentration of blood ethanol levels is most noticeable at 100–300 mg/dl in individuals who have consumed ethanol. The test rejection rate was 2.5 %, with hemolysis being the most common cause. The total analytical error value was calculated to be 11.4 %. The analysis also revealed significant gender differences in ethanol elimination rates, with males showing a faster decline (16.8 mg/dL/h for females and 20.5 mg/dL/h for males). Conclusions Our findings underscore the importance of precise and reliable ethanol testing in medical settings, highlighting the impact of test efficiency on patient care and forensic analysis. The study reveals substantial differences in ethanol processing between genders and emphasizes improving test transport and repetition procedures. Ultimately, this research provides valuable contributions to understanding alcohol-related behaviors and enhancing laboratory testing processes in large medical facilities.