Patterns of Alcohol Consumption and Associated Factors in a Population-Based Sample of 70-Year-Olds: Data from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study 2014–16

Felicia Ahlner, Hanna Falk Erhag, Lena Johansson, Madeleine Mellqvist Fässberg, Therese Rydberg Sterner, Jessica Samuelsson, Anna Zettergren, Margda Waern and Ingmar Skoog
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Felicia Ahlner: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden
Hanna Falk Erhag: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden
Lena Johansson: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden
Madeleine Mellqvist Fässberg: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden
Therese Rydberg Sterner: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden
Jessica Samuelsson: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden
Anna Zettergren: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden
Margda Waern: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden
Ingmar Skoog: Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AGECAP), University of Gothenburg, 43141 Mölndal, Sweden

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-16

Abstract: Older adults of today consume more alcohol, yet knowledge about the factors associated with different consumption levels is limited in this age group. Based on the data from a population-based sample ( n = 1156, 539 men and 617 women) in The Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study 2014–16, we examined sociodemographic, social, and health-related factors associated with alcohol consumption levels in 70-year-olds, using logistic regression. Total weekly alcohol intake was calculated based on the self-reported amount of alcohol consumed. Alcohol consumption was categorized as lifetime abstention, former drinking, moderate consumption (≤98 g/week), and at-risk consumption (>98 g/week). At-risk consumption was further categorized into lower at-risk (98–196 g/week), medium at-risk (196–350 g/week), and higher at-risk (≥350 g/week). We found that among the 1156 participants, 3% were lifetime abstainers, 3% were former drinkers, 64% were moderate drinkers, and 30% were at-risk drinkers (20% lower, 8% medium, 2% higher). Among several factors, former drinking was associated with worse general self-rated health (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.08–2.51) and lower health-related quality of life (measured by physical component score) (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.97), higher illness burden (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07–1.27), and weaker grip strength (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.98). Higher at-risk drinkers more often had liver disease (OR 11.41, 95% CI 3.48–37.37) and minor depression (OR 4.57, 95% CI 1.40–14.95), but less contacts with health care (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.11–0.92). Our findings demonstrate the importance of classifications beyond abstinence and at-risk consumption, with implications for both the prevention and clinical management of unhealthy consumption patterns in older adults.

Keywords: alcohol use; determinants; characteristics; associated factors; older adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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