Alcohol-related mortality in Czechia in a comparative view of European countries

Abstract

Abstract Background Alcohol consumption is an important risk factor of mortality. Czechia is a country with one of the highest alcohol intake in Europe. The severity of the alcohol-related consequences depends on the volume of alcohol consumption over time, the pattern of drinking and the quality of alcoholic beverages. The aim was to analyse the temporal changes of premature mortality related to alcohol in Czechia and compare these changes with other European countries. Methods Mortality data by sex, age and cause of death were obtained from the Czech Statistical Office and the WHO Mortality Database for the years 1999-2016. The main alcohol-related causes of death investigated in this study were alcoholic psychosis, dependence, and abuse, alcoholic liver cirrhosis, accidental poisoning by alcohol, and alcoholic cardiomyopathy. We calculated the age-standardized mortality rates (per 100,000) using the European Standard Population. The analysis was limited to the age group of 25-64 years. Results Relatively stable rates of premature mortality related to alcohol were observed in the last decade in Czechia. With respect to gender, mortality rates of alcohol-related causes were about three times higher among Czech males, as compared to Czech females. Alcoholic liver disease accounted for more than half of the alcohol-related mortality in both sexes. Conclusions Compared to other European countries, Czechia has high burden of alcohol-related mortality. However, it follows similar patterns as other central and eastern European countries. In order to reduce this burden, it is necessary to strengthen alcohol-related policies to decrease the alcohol consumption in Czechia. Key messages The high intake of alcohol in Czechia implies the high alcohol-related mortality. The alcohol-related mortality remained stable in Czechia over the observed period.