The calculation of blood ethanol concentrations in males and females

In German-speaking countries, blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) are usually calculated using Widmark’s equation. The distribution factor r of this equation is a correction factor needed to obtain a reduced body mass and corresponds to the ratio of total body water and blood water content. To enhance the reliability of Widmark’s model equation, the body weight, body height, blood water content and total body water of 256 women and 273 men were measured. The ratio of body water to blood water ranged from 0.44 to 0.80 in women and from 0.60 to 0.87 in men. For both sexes equations were developed by multiple regression analysis which allow the determination of the individual, more realistic distribution factors r_FI (for females) and r_MI (for males) even when only body height and body weight are known. Drinking experiments revealed a clearly higher congruence of calculated and measured blood ethanol concentrations when r_FI or r_MI were used instead of rigid distribution factors, i.e. 0.6 for women and 0.7 for men with or without the assumption of a 10% so-called resorption deficit. Additionally, Widmark’s equation in combination with r_FI or r_MI allows a more accurate prediction of blood ethanol concentrations than the equations of Watson and Ulrich. Received: 25 October 1999 / Accepted: 17 March 2000