Article Synopsis |  | The consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol appears to be associated with reduced mortality from all causes in middle-aged people. In the elderly, however, some of the benefit from moderate alcohol intake may be counterbalanced by mortality from other causes.
In the past US and Australian studies have provided inconclusive results regarding alcohol intake and its association with mortality in the elderly.
This study examines the relationship between alcohol intake and survival in 1,235 Australian men and 1,570 Australian women, aged over 60, who were originally examined in 1988-89. The study was carried out over a more extended follow-up of 116 months.
The results identified the alcohol intake amongst the cohort to be moderate (less than 14 drinks per week) Moderate alcohol intake in the elderly was found to be associated with significantly longer survival in men up to the age of 74 and in all elderly women. Men taking any alcohol lived on average 7.6 months longer, and women on average 2.7 months, compared with non-drinkers. In men there was no evidence of a differential effect between one to two drinks on a given day and an intake of five or more drinks on a given day.
The reduction of coronary heart disease and stroke mortality associated with alcohol intake was also observed; results that were in line with findings of some previous studies. |