Alcohol consumption among older adults: Findings from the ELSI‐Brazil study

Abstract

Objectives This study estimates the national prevalence of drinking patterns (current, heavy, and binge) and the associated factors, among older Brazilians. Design Cross‐sectional study using survey data from ELSI‐Brazil (2015–2016). Setting/Participants A total of 7839 adults aged 50 years or older. Measurements Respondents were asked about alcohol drinking. Alcohol consumption status was categorized as current drinkers (last month), heavy drinkers (≥7 drinks/week for females and ≥14 drinks/week for males), and binge drinkers (≥4 drinks on one occasion for females and ≥5 drinks on one occasion for males). Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco smoking, depression, and number of chronic diseases. Results Of the 7839 participants, 29.4% were current drinkers, 5.1% were heavy drinkers, and 10.3% reported binge drinking. In the ≥60 years old age group, the prevalence of current drinking was 23.8%, 3.9% were heavy drinkers, and 6.7% reported binge drinking. All drinking patterns had similar associated factors: being male, being younger, having higher education, tobacco smoking, and falls. In addition, the greater the number of chronic conditions, the lower the prevalence of current drinking and binge drinking. Conclusion Heavy drinking and binge drinking are often reported by older Brazilians, particularly among males, those with higher education and in the younger age groups. These behaviors can negatively affect the health of older adults. It is, therefore, important to identify the problems related to alcohol consumption among older adults to minimize the risks and harms.

The role of differential exposure and susceptibility to heavy drinking linking income inequalities and tooth loss: An investigation of the alcohol harm paradox using a four‐way decomposition analysis

“…The present findings are partially in line with a recent report pooling data from eight Finnish cohorts, 24 which found negative mediated interactive effects of alcohol intake on the association between income and alcohol‐attributable mortality. Interestingly, a negative proportion for differential exposure was noted in this study, and such a divergence from the present findings could be attributed—besides the fact that the outcomes are distinct—to different societal vulnerability factors and drinking patterns when comparing Finland and Brazil 42–44 . Another study detected a minimal attenuation in the effects of socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol‐related disorders after adjusting for the amount of alcohol use, using traditional mediation analysis in a Swedish cohort 26 .…”

“…Interestingly, a negative proportion for differential exposure was noted in this study, and such a divergence from the present findings could be attributedbesides the fact that the outcomes are distinct-to different societal vulnerability factors and drinking patterns when comparing Finland and Brazil. [42][43][44] Another study detected a minimal attenuation in the effects of socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol-related disorders after adjusting for the amount of alcohol use, using traditional mediation analysis in a Swedish cohort. 26 In some sort, this finding is equivalent to a negative total indirect effect, similar to what we found, although we were able to disentangle the contribution of each component of the mediated and interactive effects.…”

Sex differences in the association between alcohol intake and cognitive decline over 4 years in a middle‐aged cohort: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health

“…These sex differences associated with alcohol intake can largely be attributed to differences in alcohol consumption between men and women. A study investigating the national prevalence of drinking patterns among Brazilians aged 55 years or older showed that heavy drinking and binge drinking are more prevalent in males, and are associated with higher education and younger age [30] In our study, men consumed greater quantities of alcohol in grams per week than women in all groups. In addition, in the analysis of the sample loss, the highest percentage of participants who died between evaluations were men who had higher alcohol consumption than the remaining sample.…”

The association of hearing loss with depressive symptoms and cognitive function among older people: Results from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging

“…The total number of chronic conditions was estimated from self‐report of 14 conditions (hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure, stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic back pain, cancer, and chronic kidney disease). In men, drinking 14 or more doses a week, or 5 or more a day, was classified as “problematic alcohol drinking”; among women, this referred to drinking 7 or more doses a week, or 4 or more a day 32,33 …”

“…In men, drinking 14 or more doses a week, or 5 or more a day, was classified as "problematic alcohol drinking"; among women, this referred to drinking 7 or more doses a week, or 4 or more a day. 32,33 These variables were chosen as covariates (potential confounders) as they are more likely to be simultaneously associated with hearing loss and cognitive impairment or depressive symptoms.…”