Beverage Specific Effect of Alcohol on Stroke Mortality in Russia

Abstract

Background: Stroke is one of the major causes of death in the developed world and a top ten contributor to the global burden of disease. Russia has one of the world’s highest stroke incidence and mortality rates. Several studies have emphasized the role of binge drinking as important determinant of high stroke mortality rate in Russia. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between the consumption of different beverage types and stroke mortality rates in Russia. Method: Age-standardized male and female stroke mortality data for the period 1970-2005 and data on beverage-specific alcohol sales were obtained from Russian State Statistical Committee. Time-series analytical modeling techniques (ARIMA) were used to examine the relation between the sale of different alcoholic beverages (vodka, wine, beer) and stroke mortality rates. Results: The analysis suggests that of the three beverages vodka alone was associated with stroke mortality in Russia. The estimated effects of vodka sales on the stroke mortality rate are clearly statistically significant for both sexes: a 1 liter increase in vodka sales would result in a 3.1% increase in the male stroke mortality rate and in 1.7% increase in female stroke mortality rate. Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that public health efforts should focus on both reducing overall consumption and changing beverage preference away from distilled spirits in order to reduce cerebrovascular mortality rates in Russia.