Abstract
BackgroundThe effect of smoking and sex on the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components has not been investigated.MethodsA total of 5,629 Korean adults aged 40–69 years without MetS were recruited at baseline. Alcohol consumption was assessed biennially, and participants were classified as never, light, moderate, or heavy drinkers. Smoking status was examined at baseline and categorized into non-smokers and current smokers. Risk of incident MetS and its components according to alcohol consumption was examined by smoking status and sex using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.ResultsDuring a follow-up of 12 years, 2,336 participants (41.5%) developed MetS. In non-smokers, light or moderate alcohol drinkers had a lower risk of developing MetS, abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL-C compared with never drinkers. Heavy alcohol consumption was associated with a higher risk of incident elevated blood pressure (hazard ratio [HR] 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–2.06; P = 0.020) in men and abdominal obesity (HR 1.86; 95% CI, 1.06–3.27; P = 0.030) in women. However, in smokers, the inverse association of light or moderate alcohol consumption with hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity was not present, whereas a positive association between heavy alcohol consumption and hyperglycemia (HR 1.39; 95% CI, 1.07–1.80; P = 0.014) was observed.ConclusionsSmoking status and sex strongly affects the association between long-term alcohol consumption and MetS and its components by the amount of alcohol consumed.
Highlights
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex of metabolic abnormalities, including abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and elevated blood pressure.[1]
metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence increased in the American population from 32.9% to 34.7% between 2003–2004 and 2011–2012.3 A recent systemic review found that at least one-fifth of the adult population in the Asia-Pacific region had MetS.[4]
Light alcohol consumption was inversely associated with MetS and heavy alcohol consumption was positively associated with MetS and its components.[5,6,7]
Summary
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex of metabolic abnormalities, including abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and elevated blood pressure.[1] MetS is considered a risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as for all-cause mortality.[2] MetS prevalence increased in the American population from 32.9% to 34.7% between 2003–2004 and 2011–2012.3 A recent systemic review found that at least one-fifth of the adult population in the Asia-Pacific region had MetS.[4] Lifestyle factors, such as alcohol drinking and smoking, are known to be major risk factors for MetS and its components. The effect of smoking and sex on the relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components has not been investigated
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