Key result
Using non-drinkers as a baseline for alcohol consumption studies is flawed because middle-aged male non-drinkers are often older ex-drinkers with higher rates of underlying diseases.
Why the study?
Does light or moderate alcohol consumption reduce mortality compared to non-drinkers in male doctors?
Does light or moderate alcohol consumption reduce mortality compared to non-drinkers in male doctors?
Non-drinkers should not be used as a baseline in alcohol mortality studies due to confounding factors such as being ex-drinkers with higher disease burdens.
Mortality and alcohol consumptionNon-drinkers shouldn't be used as baseline EDITOR,-The interpretation of the finding that light or moderate drinkers have a lower mortality than non-drinkers remains controversial.'The original cohort of 34000 male doctors was recruited in 1951, and information on alcohol consumption was obtained from the surviving third of the men some 27 years later (1978) and from the surviving quarter 40 years later (1991).The authors make no comment on the possible implications of these large gaps in time or on the issue of survivorship.The British regional heart study has shown that middle aged male non-drinkers are likely to be ex- drinkers, are older, and have higher rates of a wide range of diseases and of drug treatment than light or moderate drinkers.'Non-drinkers should not be
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
A. G. Shaper (1995) conducted a letter in Mortality (n=34,000). Alcohol consumption (light or moderate drinking) vs. Non-drinkers was evaluated on Mortality. Using non-drinkers as a baseline for alcohol consumption studies is flawed because middle-aged male non-drinkers are often older ex-drinkers with higher rates of underlying diseases.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: