Key result
Binge drinking was associated with a 2.8 ms longer QT interval in men compared to non-drinkers, while coffee, tea, smoking, and physical activity were not associated with QT interval duration.
Why the study?
Do modifiable lifestyle factors such as coffee, alcohol, smoking, and physical activity affect QT interval duration in the general population?
Cross-Sectional (n=7,795)
Yes
Do modifiable lifestyle factors such as coffee, alcohol, smoking, and physical activity affect QT interval duration in the general population?
Mean Difference: 2.8 (95% CI 0.4–5.3)
Binge drinking in men is associated with a modest prolongation of the QT interval, whereas other common lifestyle factors like coffee, tea, smoking, and physical activity do not significantly affect QT duration.
Binge drinking may modestly prolong QT in men; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice or other lifestyle advice.
BACKGROUND: Abnormalities in the electrocardiographic QT interval duration have been associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, there is substantial uncertainty about the effect of modifiable factors such as coffee intake, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity on QT interval duration. METHODS: We studied 7795 men and women from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES III, 1988-1994). Baseline QT interval was measured from the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Coffee and tea intake, alcohol consumption, leisure-time physical activities over the past month, and lifetime smoking habits were determined using validated questionnaires during the home interview. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted model, the average differences in QT interval comparing participants drinking ≥6 cups/day to those who did not drink any were -1.2 ms (95% CI -4.4 to 2.0) for coffee, and -2.0 ms (-11.2 to 7.3) for tea, respectively. The average differences in QT interval duration comparing current to never smokers was 1.2 ms (-0.6 to 2.9) while the average difference in QT interval duration comparing participants drinking ≥7 drinks/week to non-drinkers was 1.8 ms (-0.5 to 4.0). The age, race/ethnicity, and RR-interval adjusted differences in average QT interval duration comparing men with binge drinking episodes to non-drinkers or drinkers without binge drinking were 2.8 ms (0.4 to 5.3) and 4.0 ms (1.6 to 6.4), respectively. The corresponding differences in women were 1.1 (-2.9 to 5.2) and 1.7 ms (-2.3 to 5.7). Finally, the average differences in QT interval comparing the highest vs. the lowest categories of total physical activity was -0.8 ms (-3.0 to 1.4). CONCLUSION: Binge drinking was associated with longer QT interval in men but not in women. QT interval duration was not associated with other modifiable factors including coffee and tea intake, smoking, and physical activity.
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Zhang et al. (2011) conducted a cross-sectional in General population (n=7,795). Binge drinking vs. Non-drinkers was evaluated on QT interval duration (MD 2.8 ms, 95% CI 0.4 to 5.3). Binge drinking was associated with a 2.8 ms longer QT interval in men compared to non-drinkers, while coffee, tea, smoking, and physical activity were not associated with QT interval duration.
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