Key result
In older adults, consuming 1 to 6 alcoholic drinks per week was associated with 0.07 mm lower carotid IMT compared to abstainers, whereas 14 or more drinks was associated with higher IMT (P=0.02).
Why the study?
Does alcohol consumption affect carotid intima-media thickness in adults aged 65 years and older?
Cross-Sectional (n=5,888)
Does alcohol consumption affect carotid intima-media thickness in adults aged 65 years and older?
Mean Difference: -0.07
p-value: p=0.02
In older adults, light alcohol consumption (1-6 drinks/week) is inversely associated with carotid atherosclerosis, while heavier consumption (≥14 drinks/week) is positively associated, indicating a J-shaped relationship.
Should not alter alcohol guidance in older adults; leaves open a possible J-shaped link with carotid atherosclerosis pending prospective data.
OBJECTIVE: The association of alcohol use with atherosclerosis is inconsistent in previous studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: For the Cardiovascular Health Study, 5888 adults aged 65 years and older underwent a standardized interview and examination. They reported beer, wine, and liquor use individually and underwent B-mode ultrasonography to determine internal and common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). We compared composite carotid IMT values cross-sectionally using linear regression to adjust for demographic and clinical characteristics. Among 4247 participants free of cardiovascular disease, consumers of 1 to 6 drinks per week had 0.07+/-0.04-mm lower composite IMT and consumers of 14 or more drinks per week had 0.07+/-0.05-mm higher IMT than abstainers (P quadratic trend=0.02). We found similar relationships using internal and common carotid thickness measures and among men and women. The higher IMT associated with heavier alcohol use was particularly strong among 1592 participants with confirmed cardiovascular disease (0.24+/-0.09 mm greater than abstainers). Controlling for HDL cholesterol levels reduced the effect on composite IMT among consumers of 1 to 6 drinks per week by 22%. CONCLUSIONS: Relative to older adults who abstain from alcohol, consumption of 1 to 6 drinks per week had an inverse association with carotid atherosclerosis whereas consumption of 14 or more drinks had a positive association.
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Mukamal et al. (2003) conducted a cross-sectional in Carotid atherosclerosis (n=5,888). Alcohol consumption vs. Abstainers was evaluated on Composite carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) (MD -0.07, p=0.02). In older adults, consuming 1 to 6 alcoholic drinks per week was associated with 0.07 mm lower carotid IMT compared to abstainers, whereas 14 or more drinks was associated with higher IMT (P=0.02).
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