Oriental flush complex

A condition caused by the incomplete metabolism of alcohol with accumulation of acetaldehyde due to a missense polymorphism in acetaldehyde dehydrogenase—ALDH2—resulting in bright red skin due to capillary dilation of face, neck, shoulder, and sometimes the entire body after consuming alcohol. Those with ALDH2 deficiency have up to a 10-fold greater risk of oesophageal cancer, attributed to the accumulation of acetaldehyde

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

Oriental flush complex

A facial erythema seen in up to 80% of Orientals who drink alcohol, possibly due to an atypical isomer of alcohol dehydrogenase that causes rapid metabolism of ethanol and high acetaldehyde levels.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.