Alcohol Consumption Patterns Research Articles

Alcohol and Binge Drinking Frequency and Hypertension: A National Cross-Sectional Study in the U.S.

The relationship between alcohol consumption and hypertension is multifaceted and a major public health concern. The association becomes even more complicated when hypertension is undiagnosed. This study investigates how alcohol consumption patterns are linked to measured, diagnosed, undiagnosed, and composite hypertension (any indications of hypertension from blood pressure readings, professional diagnosis, or reported medication use) in the United States. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2020, a nationally representative cross-sectional study, were analyzed in 2023-2024. The final analytic sample was 12,950 participants. Complex-survey weighted multivariable linear and logistic regression models estimated the effect of different alcohol consumption levels on hypertension. Descriptive findings show that those who consumed alcohol more than 3 times weekly exhibited the highest prevalence of measured (52.5%), undiagnosed (27.0%), and composite hypertension (69.4%) compared to other levels of alcohol drinking. Multivariable linear regression analysis indicated a notable elevation in systolic (4.8 unit) and diastolic (2.46 unit) blood pressure among individuals with frequent binge drinking episodes compared to individuals with infrequent drinking. Logistic regression models estimated that drinking over 3 times weekly increases the odds of measured, undiagnosed, and composite hypertension by 64%, 70%, and 54%, respectively, while frequent binge drinking episodes raise these odds by 82%, 65%, and 47%. Contrary to some studies suggesting moderate alcohol intake has protective cardiovascular effects, the findings did not corroborate a "J-shaped" curve. This underscores the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring among individuals with binge drinking episodes and emphasizes the need for public health interventions to mitigate alcohol consumption and its associated hypertension risks.

Long-term Risks of Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Across Steatotic Liver Disease Subtypes.

The prospective study aimed to investigate the long-term associated risks of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) across various subtypes of steatotic liver disease (SLD). We enrolled 332,175 adults who participated in a health screening program between 1997 and 2013. Participants were categorized into various subtypes, including metabolic dysfunction-associated SLD (MASLD), MASLD with excessive alcohol consumption (MetALD), and alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), based on ultrasonography findings, alcohol consumption patterns, and cardiometabolic risk factors. We used computerized data linkage with nationwide registries from 1997 to 2019 to ascertain the incidence of cirrhosis and HCC. After a median follow-up of 16 years, 4,458 cases of cirrhosis and 1,392 cases of HCC occurred in the entire cohort, resulting in an incidence rate of 86.1 and 26.8 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The ALD group exhibited the highest incidence rate for cirrhosis and HCC, followed by MetALD, MASLD, and non-SLD groups. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratios for HCC were 1.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.51-2.44), 2.91 (95% CI 2.11-4.03), and 2.59 (95% CI 1.93-3.48) for MASLD, MetALD, and ALD, respectively, when compared with non-SLD without cardiometabolic risk factors. The pattern of the associated risk of cirrhosis was similar to that of HCC (all P value <0.001). The associated risk of cirrhosis for ALD increased to 4.74 (95% CI 4.08-5.52) when using non-SLD without cardiometabolic risk factors as a reference. This study highlights elevated risks of cirrhosis and HCC across various subtypes of SLD compared with non-SLD, emphasizing the importance of behavioral modifications for early prevention.

Associations between traumatic dental injuries due to violence and various drinking behaviors in Korea: A cross-sectional study.

Various patterns of alcohol consumption are associated with trauma and violence. The aim of this study was to assess the association between traumatic dental injuries (TDI) due to violence and different patterns of alcohol consumption in Korean adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with representative sample of Korean adults. Among the total participants, 11.8% (6489/58,999) experienced TDI, and 0.9% (520/58,999) experienced TDI due to violence. The associations between various types of alcohol consumption (frequency of drinking, frequency of binge drinking, age of first drinking) and TDI due to violence were assessed using logistic regression analyses. We confirmed differences in the prevalence experience of TDI due to violence with various types of alcohol consumption by confounders (socioeconomic status). All types of drinking (frequency of drinking, frequency of binge drinking, age of first drinking) were strongly associated with TDI due to violence. After adjusting for confounders, those who started drinking at the age of 18 or younger and drank 4 or more days a week (OR: 2.86, 95% CI: 1.68-4.88), those who started drinking at the age of 18 or younger and drank 3 days or less a week (OR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.40-4.02), and those who started drinking at the age of 18 or younger and binge drinking at least once a week (OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.79-5.65) had higher prevalence of TDI due to violence compared to those with no alcohol drinking. This study presents evidence of an association between various types of alcohol consumption and TDI due to violence in Korean adults. These findings suggest the necessity for policies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption, frequency of drinking, and access to drinking especially in adolescent to reduce the prevalence experience of TDI due to violence.

Stereotype threat contributes to poorer recall performance among undergraduate students with problematic drinking patterns.

Stereotype threat occurs when individuals from stigmatized groups feel they are expected to conform to a negative stereotype associated with their group. Studies show that activating stereotype threat can impair performance on cognitive tasks in various marginalized groups. Individuals with problematic alcohol use are subject to stigmatized views related to cognitive abilities and socialization skills; thus, we examine for the first time whether eliciting stereotype threat impairs performance on a memory and a theory of mind task in undergraduate students with varying drinking patterns. We randomized 205 students to a neutral or a stereotype threat condition, which informed participants that the purpose of the study was to assess memory performance and theory of mind skills in relation to different patterns of alcohol consumption. In the stereotype threat group, individuals with problematic drinking patterns demonstrated significantly worse memory performance than nonproblematic drinkers and nondrinkers. The same was not true in the neutral condition, where memory recall did not differ significantly as a function of drinking status. Experimental group and drinking status failed to reveal significant effects on cognitive and affective theory of mind performance. Problematic alcohol use patterns were only associated with poorer memory when stereotype threat was elicited, which indicates that assessments of neurocognitive profiles may be biased, at least for memory performance, if stereotype threat is inadvertently elicited in substance users. Broader implications support the imperative to avoid stigmatization of problematic substance use in scientific communication and clinical settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Therapeutic potential of Lingjiao Gouteng decoction in acute alcohol intoxication and alcohol-induced brain injury involving the RhoA/ROCK2/NF-κB signaling pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAlcohol misuse persists as a prevalent societal concern and precipitates diverse deleterious consequences, entailing significant associated health hazards including acute alcohol intoxication (AAI). Binge drinking, a commonplace pattern of alcohol consumption, may incite neurodegeneration and neuronal dysfunction. Clinicians tasked with managing AAI confront a dearth of pharmaceutical intervention alternatives. In contrast, natural products have garnered interest due to their compatibility with the human body and fewer side effects. Lingjiao Gouteng decoction (LGD), a classical traditional Chinese medicine decoction, represents a frequently employed prescription in cases of encephalopathy, although its efficacy in addressing acute alcoholism and alcohol-induced brain injury remains inadequately investigated. Aim of the studyTo investigate the conceivable therapeutic benefits of LGD in AAI and alcohol-induced brain injury, while delving into the underlying fundamental mechanisms involved. Materials and methodsWe established an AAI mouse model through alcohol gavage, and LGD was administered to the mice twice at the 2 h preceding and 30 min subsequent to alcohol exposure. The study encompassed the utilization of the loss of righting reflex assay, histopathological analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and cerebral tissue biochemical assays to investigate the impact of LGD on AAI and alcohol-induced brain injury. These assessments included a comprehensive evaluation of various biomarkers associated with the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Finally, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were carried out to explore the underlying mechanisms through which LGD exerts its therapeutic influence, potentially through the regulation of the RhoA/ROCK2/NF-κB signaling pathway. ResultsOur investigation underscores the therapeutic efficacy of LGD in ameliorating AAI, as evidenced by discernible alterations in the loss of righting reflex assay, pathological analysis, and assessment of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. Furthermore, the results of RT-qPCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining manifest a noteworthy regulatory effect of LGD on the RhoA/ROCK2/NF-κB signaling pathway. ConclusionsThe present study confirmed the therapeutic potential of LGD in AAI and alcohol-induced brain injury, and the protective effects of LGD against alcohol-induced brain injury may be intricately linked to the RhoA/ROCK2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

The PEERCARE peer led programme for college students: A qualitative evaluation of a "chill-out" harm reduction space.

Aims: Harmful patterns of alcohol consumption, such as binge drinking, are prevalent among the student population at universities. Despite the risks of this behaviour, few secondary prevention programmes have been created to meet the specific needs of this population. The PEERCARE programme is a peer-based prevention programme that seeks harm reduction for alcohol overuse in party environments, among other goals. To do so, a "chill-out" space is created by peer educators in party environments to limit the risks associated with alcohol overuse. This study sought to examine peer educators' experience with a chill-out space to identify their specific actions, difficulties and needs, and to consider possibilities for improvement. Methods: Nine engineering students from one French grandes écoles campus trained as peer educators (six men and three women; mean age 21 years) participated. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Results: The thematic analysis showed that the peer educators were highly engaged with this programme in response to alcohol overuse on their campus. The chill-out space was lauded for its non-judgemental and non-moralising nature. In addition, the numerous risk reduction activities that were enacted confirmed the benefits of these spaces during parties. The peer educators' experience was positive, and acting as managers of the chill-out space seemed to answer to a sense of competence recognitiontion. Conclusion: This study confirms the relevance of utilising chill-out spaces during parties and provides preliminary data on the deployment and management of peer-led chill-out space approaches. Expanding the implementation of such spaces to more educational institutions is recommended.

Peer Influence and Factors Associated with Personal Network Size of Underage Drinkers Recruited Through Respondent-driven Sampling in Dibrugarh District of Assam, India

Personal networks significantly contributed to initiating risky behaviours among emerging youth. The study aimed to assess the personal network characteristics and factors associated with the personal network size of underage alcohol users. 200 underage drinkers were recruited through respondent-driven sampling in Dibrugarh, Assam using five seeds. Transition probability matrices and homophily indices were used to describe underage drinkers’ network characteristics and network patterns. The weighted logistic regression model was performed to observe the association. Personal network size differed significantly with respect to demographic profile and alcohol consumption patterns of the respondents. A higher proportion of participants used cannabis (77.0%), drank for more than 3 years (40.7%) and liked to drink with peers (51.1%). The affiliation pattern of educational status shows a trend of homophily and interaction between new and older underage drinkers. Students (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.32, 7.62) who like to drink with peers (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.24, 9.62) were found significantly associated with larger personal network size in weighted multiple binary logistic regression. The findings will be helpful to understand the network pattern of underage drinkers. The study highlighted the need for effective prevention and intervention programmes for this population and suggested further research in this area.

Association between drinking status and risk of kidney stones among United States adults: NHANES 2007–2018

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between drinking status and kidney stones occurrence among United States (US) adults who consume alcohol.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2007–2018). Questionnaires yielded information on alcohol consumption and kidney health. Drinking status was categorized into four groups—former, mild, moderate, and heavy—based on alcohol consumption patterns. The aim was to explore the relationship between drinking status and the prevalence of kidney stones occurrence. For this analysis, we examined a group of individuals diagnosed with kidney stones. With survey weights applied, the total weight of the group was 185,690,415.ResultsWe used logistic regression to measure the relationship between drinking status and the likelihood of developing kidney stones. In a fully adjusted model, former drinkers were less likely to have previously experienced kidney stones (OR 0.762, 95% CI 0.595–0.977, P < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, heavy alcohol consumption was associated with a significantly reduced likelihood of kidney stones occurrence in various populations. The adjusted odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) of kidney stones risk for heavy alcohol consumption were 0.745 (0.566–0.981) for young individuals, 0.566 (0.342–0.939) for older individuals, 0.708 (0.510–0.981) for individuals of white race, 0.468 (0.269–0.817) for individuals with underweight/normal BMI, 0.192 (0.066–0.560) for widowed people, 0.538 (0.343–0.843) for smoking individuals, 0.749 (0.595–0.941) for individuals without a cancer history, and 0.724 (0.566–0.925) for individuals without a stroke history.ConclusionsIn US adults who consume alcohol, a negative linear relationship is apparent between drinking status and the prevalence of kidney stones, with heavy drinking showing a lower prevalence compared to former drinkers. However, the causal relationship between drinking status and kidney stones requires further investigation in future research endeavors.

Understanding policy amenable risk factors: Alcohol consumption and long-term care use among people over 65 years old

ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the effect of past alcohol consumption frequency on formal and informal long-term care (LTC) use in old age and explore the different channels through which it may affect LTC use. MotivationThe existing literature has mainly focused on risk factors associated with a nursing home entry, but this evidence is outdated, not UK-focused, and does not look into other types of care, such as informal care. The results of this study will help in modelling the future demand for various types of care and the corresponding public spending. MethodsWe use the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) (2002–2017) dataset to conduct longitudinal, individual-level analysis. We explore how the previous frequency of alcohol consumption affects formal and informal care use. We focus on people aged 65 and over with no previous LTC use and run regressions with and without instrumental variables (IV) to estimate how alcohol consumption patterns in the previous wave (2 years before) affect formal and informal care use. For IV regressions, we use the polygenic score for alcohol use, available for a subsample of ELSA respondents, as an instrument while also accounting for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle choices, and health conditions. ResultsThe main IV estimates suggest that frequent alcohol consumption has a weakly significant positive effect on the onset of formal LTC care use compared to none/rare drinking. This relationship diminishes and is not statistically significant when we directly control for health status. We find no statistically significant effect towards informal LTC use. These results contrast with the estimates without IV, which suggest that frequent alcohol consumption is negatively associated with informal care use and no or weakly negative association with formal care use. DiscussionOur findings suggest that unobserved confounding is important when studying the relationship between alcohol consumption and LTC. We hypothesise that primarily alcohol effects LTC through its adverse effect on health. In addition, unobserved factors like preferences towards seeking care, social behaviour may be related to alcohol consumption and affect access to care. We speculate alcohol may have a damaging effect on personal relationships and could indicate the burden eventually falling on formal care. In as far as the polygenic score IV can account for unobserved preference-behaviour differences, the results (weakly) support the hypothesis that these latter processes are relevant, especially for informal care use.

Analysing The Role of Lifestyle Factors on Hypertension Among Rural Indonesian Adults: A Case-Control Study

Background: Hypertension is a degenerative disease, arising from unhealthy lifestyle and becoming a world health problem. It is estimated that 46% of adults with hypertension are unaware of their condition, hence it is called the “silent killer”. This study aims to Lifestyle Risk Factors of Hypertension Incidence upon Productive Age. Methodology: The type of research used was analytical observational with case control design the samples in this study were 152 (76 cases and 76 controls). The sampling technique in this research was probability sampling using systematic random sampling. Data were processed using Stata version 14 program. The analysis performed was chi-square test and logistic regression test. Results: The results showed exposure to cigarette smoke (OR= 3.398; 95%CI=1.540-7.683), alcohol consumption (OR= 4.277; 95%CI=1.608-12.606), sleep patterns (OR= 2.628; 95%CI=1.299-5.337), physical activity (OR= 1.75; 95%CI=0.824-3.746), stressful state (OR= 1.793; 95%CI=0.897-3.590;), and coffee consumption (OR= 1.258; 95%CI=0.613- 2.587;). In multivariate analysis, the most risk factor for hypertension was alcohol consumption (OR=4.948; 95%CI=1.841-13.302; ρ-value =0.002). Conclusions: Risk factors for hypertension included exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol consumption and sleep patterns and the most risk factor for hypertension was alcohol consumption. It is highly suggested that relevant stake holders to determine programs and policies in order to prevent and treat hypertension more effectively.

Pain Intensity, Pain-Related Anxiety, and Hazardous Drinking Among Individuals With PTSD

Objective Evidence suggests that pain intensity may be indirectly linked to hazardous drinking and PTSD symptom severity via pain-related anxiety. The goal of this analysis was to test the hypotheses in a population with PTSD symptoms that pain intensity would be positively and indirectly associated with hazardous drinking, alcohol dependence, alcohol-related problems, and PTSD symptom severity via pain-related anxiety. Methods Heavy drinkers with probable PTSD were recruited via Qualtrics panels (N = 371, 53% Female, M age = 39.68, SD = 10.86). Linear regression and conditional process models were conducted to examine indirect associations between pain intensity and primary outcomes via pain-related anxiety. Results Pain intensity was found to be indirectly associated with hazardous drinking, alcohol dependence, alcohol-related problems, and PTSD symptom severity via greater pain-related anxiety. Conclusion These initial findings suggest that pain-related anxiety may play an important role in relations between the experience of pain and hazardous patterns of alcohol consumption among individuals with probable PTSD. Future research is needed to determine the temporal nature of these associations and to examine the potential utility of treatments that address pain-related anxiety in the context of comorbid pain, PTSD, and hazardous drinking.

Physical and Social Drinking Contexts Changes Due to the Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic Modified Alcohol Consumption in a Sample of Argentine College Students

Alcohol consumption is highly prevalent in college students, being important to identify risk factors for alcohol consumption. Thus, this work explored students' alcohol consumption and the influence of drinking contexts and how the lockdown modified drinking contexts and its influence on alcohol consumption. Argentinean college students ( N = 1762; 74.8% women; Mean age = 23.25 ± 2.64) completed a survey that assessed alcohol consumption and related contexts before and during the lockdown. Latent Class Analysis identified 5 context-classes that showed different alcohol consumption patterns. A high percent of students drink alcohol in various contexts, but especially those related with social encounters with peers. Moreover, students who consume alcohol at social events with peers tend to have higher consumption rates per occasion and on a monthly basis. The confinement measures could have an effect on reducing alcohol use in college students, probably by modifying the drinking context of some students. college students consume alcohol extensively, which is worrying considering the health disturbances that it produces. Moreover, it is important to consider special situations such as the lockdown -that could modify contexts and its influence on consumption-to devise intervention strategies to reduce alcohol consumption.

Pharmaceutical and Recreational Drug Usage Patterns during and Post COVID-19 Determined by Wastewater-Based Epidemiology.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) was applied to evaluate the consumption trends of pharmaceuticals (i.e., antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiepileptics, antihypertensives, and others), as well as recreational drugs (caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine), in Latvia from December 2020 to July 2023. The time period covers both the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-pandemic periods; therefore, the impact of the implemented restrictions and the consequences of the illness in terms of the usage of pharmaceuticals thereon were investigated. Additionally, the seasonality and impact of the seasonal flu and other acute upper respiratory infections were studied. The results revealed that the pandemic impacted the consumption of alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, as well as several pharmaceuticals, such as antihypertensives, antidepressants, psychiatric drugs, and the painkiller ibuprofen. The findings suggest that the imposed restrictions during the pandemic may have had a negative effect on the population's health and mental well-being. Distinct seasonal trends were discovered in the consumption patterns of caffeine and alcohol, where lower use was observed during the summer. The seasonal consumption trends of pharmaceuticals were discovered in the case of antibiotics, the antiasthmatic drug salbutamol, and the decongestant xylometazoline, where higher consumption occurred during colder seasons.

Changes in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort study using smart-breathalyzer data

Previous studies relying on alcohol sales, alcohol-related injuries, and surveys have suggested that alcohol consumption increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to leverage over 1 million Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC) measurements from Bluetooth-enabled breathalyzers to conduct an objective and longitudinal assessment of alcohol use during the pandemic. Serial BrAC measurements revealed a decrease in drinking between January 1, 2020 and March 30, 2020, an increase between March 30, 2020 and May 25, 2020, a statistically insignificant decrease between May 25, 2020 and January 1, 2021, and an increase again between January 1, 2021 and June 4, 2021. No statistically significant relationships between shelter-in-place orders and alcohol consumption were detected. These findings demonstrate the complex relationship between the pandemic and alcohol consumption patterns, providing insights that may be relevant to the use of this commonly consumed substance with implications relevant to long-term effects from the patterns observed.

Sex-specific pleiotropic changes in emotional behavior and alcohol consumption in human α-synuclein A53T transgenic mice during early adulthood.

Point mutations in the α-synuclein coding gene may lead to the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). PD is often accompanied by other psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and drug use disorders, which typically emerge in adulthood. Some of these point mutations, such as SNCA and A30T, have been linked to behavioral effects that are not commonly associated with PD, especially regarding alcohol consumption patterns. In this study, we investigated whether the familial PD point mutation A53T is associated with changes in alcohol consumption behavior and emotional states at ages not yet characterized by α-synuclein accumulation. The affective and alcohol-drinking phenotypes remained unaltered in female PDGF-hA53T-synuclein-transgenic (A53T) mice during both early and late adulthood. Brain region-specific activation of ceramide-producing enzymes, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), and neutral sphingomyelinase (NSM), known for their neuroprotective properties, was observed during early adulthood but not in late adulthood. In males, the A53T mutation was linked to a reduction in alcohol consumption in both early and late adulthood. However, male A53T mice displayed increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors during both early and late adulthood. Enhanced ASM activity in the dorsal mesencephalon and ventral hippocampus may potentially contribute to these adverse behavioral effects of the mutation in males during late adulthood. In summary, the A53T gene mutation was associated with diverse changes in emotional states and alcohol consumption behavior long before the onset of PD, and these effects varied by sex. These alterations in behavior may be linked to changes in brain ceramide metabolism.

Association between alcohol consumption and latent fasting blood glucose trajectories among midlife women.

This investigation sought to elucidate the correlations between alcohol intake and trajectories of fasting blood glucose (FBG) among American women in midlife. Our analysis was rooted in the foundational data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a comprehensive longitudinal study centered on US women during their midlife transition. We employed group-based trajectory modeling to chart the FBG trajectories spanning from 1996 to 2005. Employing logistic regression, we gauged the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to draw connections between initial alcohol consumption and FBG trajectory patterns, whilst controlling for predominant potential confounders. Our cohort comprised 2,578 women in midlife, ranging in age from 42 to 52, each having a minimum of three subsequent FPG assessments. We discerned two distinct FBG trajectories: a low-stable pattern (n = 2,467) and a high-decreasing pattern (n = 111). Contrasted with the low-stable group, our data showcased an inverse relationship between alcohol intake and the high-decreasing FBG trajectory in the fully adjusted model 3. The most pronounced reduction was evident in the highest tertile of daily servings of alcoholic beverages (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.10-0.52, p < 0.001), percentage of kilocalories sourced from alcoholic beverages (OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.16-0.58, p < 0.001), and daily caloric intake from alcoholic beverages (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.16-0.62, p < 0.001). Moderate alcohol consumption may protect against high FPG trajectories in middle-aged women in a dose-response manner. Further researches are needed to investigate this causality in midlife women.

Patterns of Alcohol Use in Hispanic Individuals with TBI over the Ten Years Post-Injury: A Model Systems Study.

The study's aim was to examine alcohol consumption patterns and predictors of consumption across time among Hispanics with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the U.S. within ten years post-injury. This longitudinal cohort study included 1342 Hispanic individuals (77.6% males) from the multi-site, longitudinal TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) database. The main outcome measures were consumption information, demographic, and injury characteristics. Across the full sample, alcohol consumption variables generally demonstrated quadratic movement characterized by an initial increase followed by a plateau or slight decrease over the ten years post-injury. The predictors of higher consumption were being men, single, with a history of excessive alcohol use, with a nonviolent mechanism of injury, shorter duration of PTA, and higher levels of education. Participants had a greater number of 5+ drinks/episode occurrences in the past month if they were men and had had a greater number of 5+ drinks/episode occurrences in the month before injury. There was no differential change in alcohol consumption over time as a function of these predictors. This study identified a profile of at-risk Hispanics with TBI for increased alcohol consumption. These individuals should be identified and targeted for early evidence-based alcohol intervention after TBI when results might be most favorable.

The Intersection of Gender and Occupational Roles in Agriculture: Stress, Resilience, and Alcohol Behaviors of US Farmers.

The purposes of this study were to explore behavioral and mental health outcomes among a sample of farmers living in the United States and to compare differences between male and female farmers. An online cross-sectional survey was distributed within the farming community by researchers, farming consultants, and community partners. χ 2 and analysis or variance analyses were used to explore relationships between variables of interest. Female survey respondents reported significantly higher perceived stress and significantly lower resilience than their male counterparts. A significant interaction effect was observed between gender and farm roles on alcohol consumption patterns, with female farm owners and managers reporting binge drinking behavior most frequently. This study identified distinct differences between respondents in terms of stress, resilience, and alcohol consumption patterns, based on both gender and occupational roles.

Off-premises demand elasticities for pure alcohol in five Latin American countries: The case of Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uruguay

Background and AimsThere is ample evidence from high-income countries that fiscal policies such as alcohol taxes can affect the consumption of alcohol by increasing alcohol prices. In the case of Latin American countries, much less is known about how sensitive alcohol demand is to alcohol price changes. This study aims to expand the evidence base on the sensitivity of off-premises pure alcohol demand to price and expenditure increases in five Latin American countries: Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uruguay, which have different socioeconomic profiles and alcohol consumption patterns. Design and settingCross-sectional study MeasurementsThe price and expenditure elasticities were estimated using an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS). Own price and expenditure elasticities for off-premises pure alcohol were estimated using representative household surveys, which collect data on households' expenses to construct the consumer basket of goods and services used to calculate the consumer price index (CPI) for the country. FindingsOwn price elasticities of off-premises pure alcohol for all countries were negative, inelastic, and significant at 1 %. They were -0.418 for Argentina; -0.656 for Chile; and for Costa Rica, Honduras, and Uruguay, they were equal to -0.608, -0.509, and -0.32, respectively. Expenditure elasticities were positive and significant at 1 %, except for Costa Rica, which was significant at 10 %. They were equal to 0.865 in Argentina; 0.943 in Chile; 1.182 in Costa Rica; 0.874 in Honduras; and 0.857 in Uruguay. Elasticities for Costa Rica should be interpreted cautiously, as there is insufficient geographical price variability to identify the demand correctly. ConclusionsResults were consistent with previous literature for countries from other regions. Governments should expand this study to measure total demand elasticities to improve the design of alcohol tax policies.

Alcohol consumption patterns and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the adult population of Spain

PurposeThe objective is to evaluate the association between various indicators of alcohol consumption and the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet among the Spanish adult population.MethodsA cross-sectional study including 44,834 participants ≥ 15 years of age from the 2017 National Health Survey and the 2020 European Health Survey in Spain. Alcohol patterns were defined based on (1) average intake: individuals were classified as low risk (1–20 g/day in men and 1–10 g/day in women) and high risk (> 20 g/day in men or > 10 g/day in women), (2) binge drinking, and (3) alcoholic beverage preference. Non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet was defined as scoring < 7 points on an adapted Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener index (range 0–10). Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for relevant covariates.ResultsCompared to non-drinkers, low and high-risk drinkers were more likely to report non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet: ORs 1.35 (95% CI 1.23; 1.49) and 1.54 (95% CI 1.34; 1.76), respectively. Similarly, reports of binge drinking less than once a month was associated with higher likelihood of non-adherence (OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.04; 1.31). Individuals reporting no preference for a specific beverage and those with a preference for beer or for spirits had lower adherence: ORs 1.18 (95% CI 1.05; 1.33), 1.31 (95% CI 1.17; 1.46), and 1.72 (95% CI 1.17; 2.54), respectively, while a preference for wine showed no association (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.90; 1.13).ConclusionAlcohol consumption, even in low amounts, is associated with lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Therefore, alcoholic beverages should not be included in measures that define the Mediterranean diet.