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Influence of gender and reported alcohol intake on mortality in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

R F Faris1, M Y Henein, A J S Coats

  • 1Department of Clinical Cardiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, United Kingdom. rajaa_faris18@hotmail.com

Heart Disease (Hagerstown, Md.)
|April 26, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Alcohol consumption impacts mortality differently in men and women with dilated cardiomyopathy. While harmful for women, moderate alcohol intake may be protective for men with this heart condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a significant cause of heart failure.
  • The role of alcohol consumption in DCM prognosis is complex and potentially gender-dependent.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the differential impact of alcohol intake on mortality and cardiac transplantation in male and female patients with DCM.
  • To assess if gender modifies the association between alcohol consumption and adverse outcomes in nonischemic heart failure.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 396 patients with DCM (1994-1998).
  • Data on alcohol intake abstracted from medical records.
  • Follow-up for mortality and cardiac transplantation, analyzed with gender as a modifying factor.

Main Results:

  • Men with DCM were younger and more likely to report excessive alcohol intake.
  • Alcohol consumption increased mortality risk in women (HR 7.3) but was protective in men (HR 0.44).
  • Findings consistent across non-drinkers, former, moderate, and heavy drinkers.

Conclusions:

  • Alcohol intake's effect on mortality in nonischemic DCM is significantly influenced by gender.
  • Further research with larger female cohorts is warranted to understand and potentially leverage these gender-specific effects for improved patient outcomes.

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