ALDH2 rs671, Alcohol Use, and Health Education in University Students

NCT07802613 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 202109064RINB
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 622
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Alcohol intolerance is common in East Asian populations and is strongly influenced by the rs671 variant in the ALDH2 gene. This study examined the associations of ALDH2 genotype with drinking behavior and alcohol-related reactions among Taiwanese university students. Participants with previous alcohol exposure underwent rs671 genotyping and received their individual genotype results together with the same standardized health education materials about alcohol intolerance and related health risks. Drinking behavior, knowledge, and attitudes were assessed before and one month after the intervention. The study also evaluated whether facial flushing and rapid heartbeat could help identify ALDH2 deficiency. Changes over the one-month period were evaluated overall and by genotype group.

Conditions

Alcohol Intolerance; Alcohol Drinking in College; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) Deficiency

Keywords

ALDH2; rs671; ALDH2 deficiency; Genetic Testing; health education; drinking behavior; East Asian population; college students

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change From Baseline in Drinking Frequency at One Month

  Drinking frequency was assessed using a study-specific questionnaire with ordinal response categories reflecting the number of drinking occasions per month. The change score was calculated from the baseline and one-month responses according to the prespecified questionnaire coding.

  Baseline to one month after receipt of genotype feedback and health education

• Change From Baseline in Alcohol Consumption per Drinking Occasion at One Month

  Alcohol consumption per drinking occasion was assessed using ordinal categories of 1-2, 3-4, or 5 or more alcohol units. One alcohol unit was calculated as \[beverage volume (mL) × alcohol by volume (%)\]/1000. The change score was calculated from the baseline and one-month responses.

  Baseline to one month after receipt of genotype feedback and health education

• Change From Baseline in Drinking Attitude Score at One Month

  Attitudes toward drinking were assessed using six study-specific statements rated on a five-point Likert scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Items were coded according to the prespecified scoring method and summed to produce a total attitude score, with higher scores indicating healthier attitudes toward alcohol use.

  Baseline to one month after receipt of genotype feedback and health education

• Change From Baseline in Alcohol Intolerance Knowledge Score at One Month

  Knowledge was assessed using a study-specific questionnaire covering alcohol metabolism, symptoms of alcohol intolerance, related health risks, diagnosis, treatment, and prevalence. The total score was calculated from correct responses, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge.

  Baseline to one month after receipt of genotype feedback and health education

Study Arms (1)

Genotype Feedback and Health Education

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants underwent ALDH2 rs671 genotyping and received their individual genotype results together with the same standardized health education materials about alcohol intolerance, alcohol-related reactions, and associated health risks. Drinking behavior, knowledge, and attitudes were assessed at baseline and one month after the intervention.

Behavioral: Individual ALDH2 Genotype Feedback; Behavioral: Standardized Alcohol Health Education

Interventions

Individual ALDH2 Genotype Feedback BEHAVIORAL

Participants underwent ALDH2 rs671 genotyping and received an individual report indicating their rs671 genotype (GG, GA, or AA) and corresponding ALDH2 metabolic status. No individualized health education was provided based on genotype.

Genotype Feedback and Health Education

Standardized Alcohol Health Education BEHAVIORAL

All participants received the same standardized health education materials concerning alcohol metabolism, symptoms of alcohol intolerance, and health risks associated with alcohol use and ALDH2 deficiency. The educational content was not individualized according to genotype.

Genotype Feedback and Health Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Currently enrolled as a student at National Taiwan University
• Aged 18 to 65 years

You may not qualify if:

• None

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Taiwan University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Taiwan University

Taipei, 100, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alcohol Drinking in College; Health Education; Drinking Behavior

Interventions

Ethanol

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohol Drinking; Behavior; Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Alcohols; Organic Chemicals

Study Officials

• Po-Hsiu Kuo, PhD

  National Taiwan University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This was a single-group, nonrandomized pre-post study. All participants underwent ALDH2 rs671 genotyping, received their individual genotype results and the same standardized health education materials, and completed assessments at baseline and one month after the intervention. Genotype groups were analyzed as naturally occurring subgroups and were not assigned as separate intervention arms.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 30, 2026
• First Posted: September 3, 2026
• Study Start: January 9, 2022
• Primary Completion: May 24, 2022
• Study Completion: May 24, 2022
• Last Updated: September 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL
• Time Frame: Data requests may be submitted after publication of the primary study results. Data will remain potentially available for as long as they are retained in accordance with institutional and ethical requirements.
• Access Criteria: Qualified researchers may submit a written request to the corresponding author describing the research purpose, analysis plan, requested variables, and data-security procedures. Access will require prior approval from the relevant institutional ethics committee, compliance with applicable informed-consent requirements, and execution of an appropriate data-use agreement. Data will not be shared without the required ethical approval and must not be redistributed or used in attempts to identify individual participants.

Locations

TW (1)