International Journal of Epidemiology, Vol 28, 1066-1072, Copyright © 1999 by International Epidemiological Association
H Hoffmeister, FP Schelp, GB Mensink, E Dietz and D Bohning
BACKGROUND: The patterns of total alcohol, beer and wine consumption were
evaluated in the German National Health Surveys. The impact of these habits
on cardiovascular and all-cause mortality as well as cardiovascular risk
factors and liver disease parameters was estimated. METHODS: Independent
representative samples of the German population (15,400 people), and
regional samples of the Berlin-Spandau population (2,370 in total), aged
25-69 years, were analysed. The amount and frequency of alcohol consumption
was assessed with standardized questionnaires. Biochemical analyses
included serum lipids and gamma- glutamyl-transpeptidase (Gamma GT).
Multiple analyses of variance were used to determine the relationship
between alcohol intake and biochemical parameters. A mortality follow-up of
about 7 years was conducted for the Berlin-Spandau population. Proportional
hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause and
cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: Over 80% of men and 55% of women in
Germany drink alcohol on a regular base. The majority of the consumers (65%
of men, 87% of women) are light (1-20 g/day) or moderate (21-40 g/day)
drinkers. Higher serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)- cholesterol and
Gamma GT levels were observed with increasing alcohol intake. In light and
moderate drinkers no significant relationship was seen with
non-HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and body mass index,
compared to teetotallers. Men who consumed 1-20 g alcohol/day had a
significantly lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. As compared to
nondrinkers, the risk was almost 50% lower. CONCLUSION: The results suggest
that light (and possibly moderate) alcohol consumption reduces the risk of
cardiovascular and total mortality risk and is favourably related to
HDL-cholesterol.
The relationship between alcohol consumption, health indicators and mortality in the German population
Freie Universitat Berlin, Institut fur Soziale Medizin, Germany.
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