Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between alcohol consumption and aortic arch calcification (AAC) in an older Chinese sample.
METHODS: In 27,844 older people aged 50-85, socioeconomic position and lifestyle factors were assessed by a questionnaire. The presence and severity of AAC were diagnosed from chest X-ray by two experienced radiologists.
RESULTS: In men, the risk for AAC increased significantly in frequent or excessive drinkers [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.36 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-1.59) and 1.49 (1.21-1.83) for those who drank >5 times/week and those who drank excessively, respectively] (P for trend from 0.002 to 0.001). When AAC was analyzed as an outcome variable with 3 categories of severity, significant dose-response relations between the severity of AAC and alcohol consumption were observed, with those who drank frequently (>5/week) or excessively having more serious AAC (P for trend=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). No significant association was found in women as few drank excessively.
CONCLUSION: The presence and severity of AAC were associated with quantity or frequency of alcohol consumption in a dose-response pattern, suggesting that alcohol drinking, even when moderate, has no benefit for AAC. Excessive drinking increased the risk of AAC by 50% compared to never drinkers.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 349-54 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | International Journal of Cardiology |
Volume | 164 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Apr 2013 |
Keywords
- Age Distribution
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Alcohol Drinking
- Aorta, Thoracic
- Aortic Diseases
- Asian Continental Ancestry Group
- China
- Cohort Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Life Style
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Sex Distribution
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Vascular Calcification