At-risk alcohol drinking in primary care patients aged 75 years and older

作者：Weyerer Siegfried^*; Schaeufele Martina; Eifflaender Gorfer Sandra; Koehler Leonore; Maier Wolfgang; Haller Franziska; Cvetanovska Pllashiniku Gabriela; Pentzek Michael; Fuchs Angela; van den Bussche Hendrik; Zimmermann Thomas; Eisele Marion; Bickel Horst; Moesch Edelgard; Wiese Birgitt; Angermeyer Matthias C; Riedel Heller Steffi G

来源：International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2009, 24(12): 1376-1385.

DOI：10.1002/gps.2274

• alcohol consumption
• epidemiology
• risk factors
• old age
• general practice

Background Little is known about the prevalence and risk factors of alcohol problems among older people (especially those aged 75 years and more). The aims of this study were to report alcohol consumption patterns and to determine their association with socio-demographic variables and health characteristics.
Method 3224 non-demented subjects aged 75 and over and attending general practitioners (GPs) (n = 138) in an urban area of Germany were studied by structured clinical interviews including detailed assessment of alcohol consumption patterns distinguishing between abstainers, moderate drinkers and at-risk drinkers (>20g of alcohol for women and >30g of alcohol for men).
Results A high proportion (50.1%) of the sample were abstainers, 43.4% were moderate drinkers. The prevalence of at-risk alcohol consumption was 6.5% (95% CI 5.6-7.4). Rates were significantly higher for men (12.1%; 95% CI 10.2-14.0) compared to women (3.6%; 95% CI 2.8-4.4). After full adjustment for confounding variables we found that compared to moderate drinking abstaining from alcohol was significantly associated with female gender, lower education, and mobility impairment. Compared to moderate drinking at-risk drinking was significantly higher among men, individuals with a liver disease, and current smokers.
Conclusions Multivariate analysis revealed that, apart from liver disease, at-risk drinking in a non-demented population aged 75 and over was associated with relatively good physical and mental health. Nevertheless, public prevention measures should focus on at-risk drinkers to make them aware of potential risks of high alcohol consumption in old age.

• 出版日期2009-12
• 单位上海市精神卫生中心