Abstract P612: Alcohol Intake, Kidney Function and Mortality

Abstract

Background: Data from the Gubbio population study were used to investigate the association of alcohol intake, kidney function and mortality. Methods: The Gubbio Study is a longitudinal study on the population of Gubbio, a town in central Italy; it started in 1983, addressing the resident population aged 5 +. Three exams were performed: Exam 1 (baseline) Exam 2 (6-year follow-up) and Exam 3 (20-year follow-up); this analysis is on the 2,069 adult participants (42.8% male) with complete data at Exam 3. Kidney function was estimated as glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with the CKD-Epi equation, mL/min x 1.73 m 2 . Habitual alcohol intake was assessed by standard questionnaires. Mortality was derived from official records. Results: Wine intake accounted for >94% of total alcohol intake at all exams. Alcohol intake tracked significantly over time (R > 0.66, P < 0.001). Daily alcohol intake distribution was skewed at all exams (skewness > 2); we divided it into four strata (grams/day = 0, 1-24, 25-48, and > 48). The goodness of the fit of the strata was confirmed by lab markers of alcohol intake (P<0.001). In multi-variable regression, strata related cross-sectionally to eGFR at all exams and were correlated longitudinally with less negative eGFR change from Exam 1 to Exam 2 and from Exam 2 to Exam 3. In multi-variable Cox models, compared to no intake, intakes > 24 g/d were not correlated with a different mortality while an intake of 1-24 g/d was correlated with a lower mortality in the whole cohort (HR= 0.77, P=0.003) and in the subgroup with eGFR < 60 mL/min x 1.73 m 2 (HR= 0.69, P=0.033). Conclusion: These data indicate a positive independent association of moderate daily alcohol intake with kidney function not due to a mortality-related selection.