The effects of exceeding low-risk drinking thresholds on self-rated health and all-cause mortality in older adults in Norway

The authors of a Norwegian study state that with increasing alcohol consumption in older adults, it is important to clarify the health consequences. Using data from the Tromsø study, a team investigated the relationship between different levels of alcohol consumption in old adulthood and self-rated health trajectories and all-cause mortality. The epidemiological study used repeated measures from the Tromsø study cohort. Participants were followed from 1994 to 2020. A total of 24,590 observations of alcohol consumption were made in older adults aged 60-99 (53% women). Self-rated health (SRH) was reported when attending the Tromsø study. Time of death was retrieved from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Average weekly alcohol consumption was categorised (non-drinker, < 100 g/week, ≥100 g/week). The researchers found that women who consumed ≥100 g/week had better SRH than those who consumed < 100 g/week; OR 1.85 (1.46-2.34). This pattern was not found in men OR 1.18 (0.99-1.42). The researchers identified an equal mortality risk in both women and men who exceeded 100 g/week compared with those who consumed less than 100 g/week; HR 0.95 (0.73-1.22) and HR 0.89 (0.77-1.03), respectively. There was no clear evidence of an independent negative effect on either self-rated health trajectories or all-cause mortality for exceeding an average of 100 g/week compared to lower drinking levels in this study with up to 25 years follow-up. However, some sex-specific risk factors in combination with the highest level of alcohol consumption led to adverse effects on self-rated health. In men it was the use of sleeping pills or tranquilisers and ≥ 20 years of smoking, in women it was physical illness and older age. Source: Stelander LT, Lorem GF, Høye A, Bramness JG, Wynn R, Grønli OK. The effects of exceeding low-risk drinking thresholds on self-rated health and all-cause mortality in older adults: the Tromsø study 1994-2020. Arch Public Health. 2023 Feb 16;81(1):25.