Effects of alcohol consumption from early adolescence on lung function and development of COPD - a retrospective...

Studies indicate a U-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption (AC) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with low-moderate AC being protective. We investigated the influence of AC debut (ACD) at different ages on forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and COPD development.

In a multi-center cohort study, data on AC were collected through a questionnaire and spirometry performed at baseline and follow-up. COPD was defined as FEV1/FVC-ratio <0.7 on post-bronchodilator spirometry. Modelling determined odds ratio (OR) of COPD and mean differences in FEV1 and FVC in stratified age groups of ACD. Never drinkers were used as reference. Adjustments were made for age, sex, smoking parameters, asthma, and education.

In total, 4,717 participated in the initial work-up and 2,751 completed follow-up. A higher FEV1 and FVC was found in all groups compared to never drinkers. Highest statistically significant difference in FEV1 and FVC was found in age group 14-16 (0.17 and 0,23 L, respectively). With rising age of ACD a smaller difference in FEV1 and FVC was observed with the smallest difference in age group >25 (0.11 L) and age group 17-18 (0.13 L), respectively. A lower, but not statistically significant OR for COPD in ACD age 14-16 (OR = 0.83) and higher OR in the remaining groups with 21-25 being highest (OR = 1.36) was indicated.

This study found higher FEV1 and FVC in all groups drinking alcohol compared to never drinkers with the highest among participants with ACD at age 14-16. The findings on risk of COPD development were not statistically significant.