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The effects of modest drinking on life expectancy and mortality risks: a population-based cohort study
Yen-Tze Liu1,2,3,4, June Han Lee5, Min Kuang Tsai5
1Department of Family Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, ROC.
Scientific Reports
|May 6, 2022
Summary
Modest alcohol consumption may offer a slight life expectancy gain but increases cancer risk. Heavy drinking significantly reduces life expectancy and increases overall mortality. Clinicians should consider individual addiction risks.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Alcohol consumption's health effects are complex, with potential benefits for some conditions but significant risks at higher levels.
- The debate continues regarding whether modest alcohol intake should be medically recommended due to conflicting evidence.
- Understanding the nuanced relationship between alcohol consumption patterns and health outcomes is crucial for public health guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between different levels of alcohol consumption and all-cause and disease-specific mortality.
- To quantify the impact of modest and regular drinking on life expectancy.
- To investigate the combined effects of alcohol consumption and smoking on mortality and longevity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 430,016 adults with mortality data tracked from 1994 to 2008.
- Drinking categorized as "modest" (≤1 drink/day) and "regular"; mortality risks calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression.
- Life expectancy analysis performed using life tables, adjusting for 15 confounders including smoking status.
Main Results:
- Modest drinkers gained 0.94 years in life expectancy and had 8% lower adjusted all-cause mortality compared to non-drinkers.
- Regular drinkers faced a 43% increase in overall mortality and a 6.9-year reduction in life expectancy.
- Modest drinking was associated with increased risks for oral (HR 2.35) and esophageal cancer (HR 3.83), negating life expectancy gains when combined with smoking.
Conclusions:
- While modest drinking may offer a small survival advantage, this is offset by increased cancer risks and is further diminished by smoking.
- Regular alcohol consumption leads to substantial increases in mortality and significant reductions in life expectancy.
- Healthcare providers must carefully weigh the risks and benefits of alcohol consumption, considering individual susceptibility to addiction and combined lifestyle factors.
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