Recent patterns of alcohol consumption in the Russian elderly, 1992-1996

We present data on patterns of alcohol consumption in the Russian elderly aged > or = 60 y (< or = 100 y) between 1992 and 1996. These results come from nationally representative data collected as part of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS), based on three-stage stratified cluster probability samples of the Russian population. The data showed a decreasing prevalence of drinking during this period, but an increase in the amount of alcohol consumed by some members of this population. There were significant differences within the group, with 60-69-y-old men having both the highest prevalence and the highest amounts of alcohol consumption compared with older men and women. Although the decrease in drinking prevalence is reassuring, the increase in the absolute amount of alcohol consumption by drinkers is of concern.