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Alcohol consumption is inversely associated with stage 3 chronic kidney disease in middle-aged Taiwanese men
Yueh-Han Hsu, Hsiang-Chu Pai, Yao-Mao Chang
1Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan. cch@nhri.org.tw.
Insights
Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in men. Further research is needed to confirm this association and understand potential health implications.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant global health challenge.
- The relationship between alcohol consumption and CKD is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between alcohol consumption and the prevalence of stage 3 CKD.
- To explore gender-specific differences in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 27,253 participants (15,353 women, 11,900 men) in a Taiwanese health check-up program (2003-2009).
- CKD was defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate, and alcohol consumption was self-reported.
- Multivariable logistic regression and trend tests were used to assess the association and dose-response relationship, with sensitivity analyses to address reverse causality.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of stage 3 CKD was lower in alcohol drinkers compared to non-drinkers (p < 0.001).
- Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with stage 3 CKD in men (occasional drinking: aOR=0.68; frequent drinking: aOR=0.47).
- Increased alcohol consumption showed a trend towards lower odds of stage 3 CKD in both genders, with consistent findings in men across various subgroups and sensitivity tests.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with stage 3 CKD in Taiwanese men.
- The findings suggest a potential protective effect of alcohol on CKD in men, but should be interpreted cautiously due to potential adverse health effects of alcohol.
Background:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global public health burden, but there is limited understanding of the relationship of alcohol consumption with CKD.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional multivariable study, all participants of a health check-up program in Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital in Taiwan from 2003 to 2009 (15,353 women and 11,900 men) were included for analysis. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was used to define CKD stage and history of alcohol consumption was obtained by self-reporting. Multivariable logistic regression analyses of gender-specific association of alcohol drinking with stage 3 CKD were conducted. A trend tests was conducted to check the dose-response relationship of alcohol consumption with renal disease. A sensitivity test was conducted to rule out the likelihood of reverse causality.
Results:
The prevalence of stage 3 CKD was lower in drinkers than non-drinkers (p < 0.001) and the percentage of drinkers with stage 3 CKD was less than that of non-drinkers. Multivariable analysis indicated that alcohol consumption was negatively associated with the presence of stage 3 CKD in men (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for occasional drinking: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.59 ~ 0.78, p < 0.001; aOR for frequent drinking: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.35 ~ 0.63, p < 0.001). Advanced age, hypertension, anemia, BMI of at least 24, hyperuricemia, and proteinuria were also associated with stage 3 CKD in men. Trend tests indicated lower odds of having stage 3 CKD with increased alcohol consumption in both genders. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity tests also indicated the reverse association between alcohol consumption and stage 3 CKD in men regardless of age, diabetes status, and other risky behaviors.
Conclusions:
Alcohol consumption was inversely associated with stage 3 CKD in Taiwanese men. However, considering the potential of other health damage with alcohol consumption, the current results should be interpreted cautiously.
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