To define and identify metabolic bone disease and mineral alterations induced by chronic heavy alcoholism in patients without severe liver damage, we studied a prospective series of unselected patients admitted to a 300-bed general hospital in Barcelona (Spain). A total of 26 chronic heavy drinkers of more than 150 g/day for at least 3 years were included. A general analytic and hormonal study, including liver biopsy in cases with any abnormality in liver function tests, and plasma and urine biochemistry with calcium regulating hormones and osteocalcin levels were determined. A transiliac bone biopsy after double-tetracycline labeling, with histomorphometric study of undecalcified bone, was performed. Statistical analysis was adjusted by age and sex by means of logistic regression. A total of 26 (20 men and 6 women) chronic alcohol abusers were studied. After adjustment for age and sex, alcoholic patients showed slight but significantly increased concentrations of plasma calcium (9.56 +/- 0.56; OR = 17.93; 95% CI 3.17-101.48) and decreased cPTH (0.36 +/- 0.11; OR = 0.097; 95% CI 0.018-0.528) compared with controls. Osteocalcin values were low (1.49 +/- 0.89, normal range 1.8-6.6). There was a significant decrease in bone volume, BV/TV (12.56 +/- 5.29; OR = 0.06; 95% CI 0.01-0.34), with increased resorption surfaces, ES/BS (4.28 +/- 2.43; OR = 9.86; 95% CI 2.16-45.07), and increased osteoclast number, N.Oc/TA (0.21 +/- 0.37; OR = 6.41; 95% CI 1.27-32.25).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)