The association between fast-flushing response and alcohol use among Japanese Americans

This study investigated the association between the flushing response and alcohol use among Japanese Americans in the greater Los Angeles area. Epidemiolocial data collected through a telephone survey and a mail survey were utilized to test the flushing-alcohol use relationship in the Japanese population, and to explore the effects of socioenvironmental variables. Results showed that, as predicted, those Japanese Americans who exhibited the fast flushing response tended to drink less than those who did not flush, in the general community sample, but the relationship was weaker in the college student sample. Logistic regression analysis identified several covariates that predicted alcohol use among the general community residents: being a male, being single and being of the third/fourth generation. A separate logistic regression analysis with the college students only revealed a moderately significant interaction effect of flushing response and "Greek" affiliation (membership in a campus fraternity or sorority) on alcohol use (i.e., 6 drinks or more in a 24-hour period), indicating that the social context appeared to have a moderating effect on the relationship between the flushing response and alcohol use among Japanese Americans. Eighty out of 300 individuals completely abstained from alcohol consumption and therefore did not know if they possessed the fast-flushing response. Results were discussed with respect to further investigation of the role played by ALDH-I deficiency in varying social situations in the Japanese population.