Rise In Alcohol Consumption Research Articles

Alcohol consumption response to pandemic induced income shocks in India

The study assesses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on household consumption of alcohol in India, considering both income shocks and supply-side factors. based on a nationally representative household survey conducted by CMIE. Using a 2SLS panel regression model and employing an approach akin to difference-in-differences technique, our study finds that the pandemic induced lockdowns resulted in a sharp increase in the share of alcohol in total expenditure across rural and urban India, and for all income levels. Alcohol consumption varies by education level, by caste, religion, and severity of income shocks. The increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic, and more so among the households that faced a severe income shock, despite the supply restrictions, suggest the stronger impact of stress-response-dampening hypothesis and self-medication hypothesis compared to the income effect. Despite state-imposed supply restrictions, including temporary alcohol shop closures and subsequent reopening with higher taxes, the study raises concerns about a disproportionate rise in alcohol consumption among the most economically impacted. This underscores the need for balanced policy responses, considering both economic stressors and public health imperatives, and emphasizes targeted interventions to mitigate the consequences of increased alcohol consumption during crises.

Trends in alcohol use and alcoholic liver disease in South Korea: a nationwide cohort study

BackgroundThere is a lack of national-level research on alcohol consumption and the epidemiology of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in South Korea. This study aims to address the critical public health issue of ALD by focusing on its trends, incidence, and outcomes, using nationwide claims data.MethodsUtilizing National Health Insurance Service data from 2011 to 2017, we calculated the population's overall drinking amount and the incidence of ALD based on ICD-10 diagnosis codes.ResultsFrom 2011 to 2017 in South Korea, social drinking increased from 15.7% to 16.5%, notably rising among women. High-risk drinking remained around 16.4%, decreasing in men aged 20–39 but not decreased in men aged 40–59 and steadily increased in women aged 20–59. The prevalence of ALD in high-risk drinkers (0.97%) was significantly higher than in social drinkers (0.16%). A 3-year follow-up revealed ALD incidence of 1.90% for high-risk drinkers and 0.31% for social drinkers. Women high-risk drinkers had a higher ALD risk ratio (6.08) than men (4.18). The economic burden of ALD was substantial, leading to higher healthcare costs and increased hospitalization. Progression rates to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in ALD patients were 23.3% and 2.8%, respectively, with no gender difference in cirrhosis progression.ConclusionsThe study revealed a concerning rise in alcohol consumption among South Korean women and emphasizes the heightened health risks and economic burdens associated with high-risk drinking, especially concerning ALD and its complications.

Is there a relationship between abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs seen in hair results?

Combined use of alcohol and illicit drugs is a serious health and social problem. In this study, it was examined, whether a relationship between alcohol and drug abuse can be ascertained by comparison of alcohol marker and drug concentrations in hair. In the frame of a social support system for families with parental abuse of illicit drugs, hair samples were analyzed between 2011 and 2022 for methadone, heroin (6-acetylmorphine), cocaine, amphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA), cannabinoids (THC), and the alcohol markers ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl palmitate (EtPa). For 1314 hair samples from adolescent and adult family members, the hair results show a prevalence of combined occasional or regular drug use and social or abusive alcohol use of 41%-60% except heroin (35%). The drug concentrations were statistically compared in the three categories of abstinence or moderate drinking, social drinking, and alcohol abuse. For the most frequently detected drug cocaine (n = 703), a significant increase of the concentrations with rising alcohol consumption was found. The frequent detection of cocaethylene proved the preferred simultaneous intake of both substances. For THC (n = 489), no significant difference between the alcohol consumer groups was seen. Concerning the less frequently detected methadone (n = 89), 6-acetylmorphine (n = 92), amphetamine (n = 123), and MDMA (n = 105), no clear trend between drug and alcohol marker results was determined. It is concluded that the evaluation of hair results is an appropriate way to study the extent of combined drug-alcohol consumption and complements other studies based on acquisition of consumption data by interview or questionnaire.

Isolation and loneliness as pathways to heavy drinking early in the pandemic.

social isolation and forced quarantines during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with a steep and persistent rise in alcohol consumption among US adults. While the association between loneliness and drinking is well established, less is known about the impact of social isolation (a known correlate of loneliness) and the interplay between these two variables in relation to drinking. we recruited US adults using the MTurk platform for an online survey in early April 2020. The initial survey was followed up with a second wave, 30days later in mid to late May. Data from the current analyses focus on this second wave of data collection. we found significant direct effects on heavy drinking for both social isolation (c'= 0.495; P< .01) and loneliness (b= 0.071; P< .05). We also found a significant indirect path from social isolation to heavy drinking through social isolation's impact on elevating loneliness (a= 0.919; P< .001). The indirect effect of social isolation on the composite measure of heavy drinking was 0.0652 (0.919 × 0.071) and was significant at the 0.05 level after bootstrapping estimates of the variance were constructed. those most isolated early in the pandemic were at increased risk for heavy drinking, in part because their social isolation led to increased loneliness. Post-pandemic research is needed to explore whether the relationships that stemmed from social isolation during the pandemic led to a persistent pattern of behavioral risk that maintained high rates of heavy drinking.

Management of alcohol-associated liver disease and alcohol use disorder in liver transplant candidates and recipients: Challenges and opportunities.

Alcohol-associated liver disease poses a significant global health burden, with rising alcohol consumption and prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. This review examines the challenges and opportunities in the care of candidates and recipients of liver transplant (LT) with AUD. Despite advancements in posttransplant patient survival, the risk of disease recurrence and alcohol relapse remains substantial. Several challenges have been identified, including (1) rising disease burden of alcohol-associated liver disease, variable transplant practices, and systemic barriers; (2) disparities in mental health therapy access and the impact on transplant; (3) variable definitions, underdiagnosis, and stigma affecting access to care; and (4) post-LT relapse, its risk factors, and consequential harm. The review focuses on the opportunities to improve AUD care for candidates and recipients of LT through effective biochemical monitoring, behavioral and pharmacologic approaches, creating Centers of Excellence for post-LT AUD care, advocating for policy reforms, and ensuring insurance coverage for necessary services as essential steps toward improving patient outcomes. The review also highlights unmet needs, such as the scarcity of addiction specialists, and calls for further research on personalized behavioral treatments, digital health, and value-based care models to optimize AUD care in the LT setting.

Alcohol consumption under lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in three Nordic countries.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns arose about a possible rise in alcohol consumption. Early surveys, however, more commonly pointed towards a decrease of alcohol use. But studies based on self-reports may underestimate alcohol use. They also depend on the population sampled. Because of border closures and gastronomy restrictions, countries with centralised alcohol sales provided a unique opportunity to study total domestic consumption during the pandemic without influence of private import or reliance on self-reports. We examined the correlation between alcohol sales and national COVID-19 restrictions in three such countries, Finland, Norway and Sweden. We conducted this study as a mirror image study, comparing alcohol sales during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic with the two preceding years. We explored hours of daylight/season as potential confounders. We found no relevant change in alcohol sales during the pandemic years for Finland or Sweden. For Norway, there was a level-change in sales, which could be explained by decreased imports. Sales followed a seasonal pattern. In all three countries, the initial pandemic increase in alcohol sales coincided with an underlying annually recurring seasonal variation. The COVID-19 pandemic had less of an impact on alcohol consumption in the three Nordic countries than could intuitively be expected. The increase of alcohol sales at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic coincided with a seasonal rise following a pre-pandemic pattern. Therefore, caution should be exercised with drawing conclusions from data with a short time perspective to avoid attribution bias.

Liver function tests: indication and interpretation

In the UK, more than 40 people die each day from liver disease — this represents a 400% increase since 1970​[1]​. While the prevalence of heart disease and cancer have remained stable or decreased, rates of liver disease have continued to increase in correlation with rising alcohol consumption over the past three decades. Liver disease […]

Trends in alcohol consumption in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-country analysis

During the first sequence of lockdowns implemented in many countries around the world in early 2020 as a result of the emerging COVID-19 pandemic, there was widespread concern amongst many health professionals regarding a predicted rise in alcohol consumption. However, studies have reported diverse findings, with some consumer groups exhibiting an increase and others a decrease in their alcohol purchase and consumption patterns. Although the long-lasting changes in alcohol consumption, if any, are still unknown, the current situation has effectively accelerated a number of pre-existing trends which will likely continue in the future. E-commerce is growing steadily, mainly because of the restrictions within the on-trade channel and concerns around catching COVID-19 amongst consumers, thus lifting traditional barriers to the adoption of digital channels. Premiumization has also grown significantly during the pandemic, especially in the spirits category, due, in part, to the fact that consumers have been increasingly trying to recreate bar and restaurant quality gastronomic experiences in the privacy of their own homes. The trend toward homemade experiences is multi-stakeholder as consumers, retailers, restaurateurs, bar owners, and brands all try to help facilitate at-home consumption experiences. Larger size purchases seem to reflect not only the stockpiling phenomena that occurred during the initial phases of the pandemic but also convenience for consumers (e.g., avoiding queues). Additionally, the growing home mixology movement has been observed to result in consumers buying larger amounts of alcohol in order to facilitate cocktail making experimentation at home. It is important to stress, though, that this review was specially focused on available data from the first three quarters of 2020, as an effort to identify and understand the initial impacts the COVID-19 was creating amongst alcohol consumers. It currently remains uncertain how these trends will evolve, and whether or not they will continue post COVID-19 (whenever that might be). Key similarities and differences across national markets are highlighted.

Alcohol consumption and serum uric acid are synergistically associated with renal dysfunction among community-dwelling persons.

BackgroundSerum uric acid (SUA) is a key risk factor contributing to renal failure, a serious public health problem. However, few studies have examined whether the interactive relationship between alcohol consumption and SUA is independently associated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).MethodsOur sample comprised 742 men aged 69 ± 11 years (mean ± standard deviation) and 977 women aged 69 ± 10 years from a rural area. We cross‐sectionally examined the relationships between the confounding factors of alcohol consumption and SUA with renal function denoted by eGFR estimated using CKD‐EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) equations modified by a Japanese coefficient.ResultsIn both genders, eGFR increased with a rise in alcohol consumption. This tendency was more pronounced in participants with hyperuricemia, where SUA was greater than 7.0 mg/dL in men and greater than 6.0 mg/dl in women (men: F = 41.98, p < 0.001; women: F = 41.98, p < 0.001). A multiple linear regression analysis showed that alcohol consumption (men: β = 0.112, p < 0.001; women: β = 0.060, p = 0.011) and SUA (men: β = −0.282, p < 0.001; women: β = 0.317, p < 0.001) were significantly and independently related to eGFR. Further, the interactive relationship between alcohol consumption and SUA (men: F = 6.388, p < 0.001; women: F = 5.368, p < 0.001) was a significant and independent indicator of eGFR.ConclusionsThese results suggested that alcohol consumption and SUA were synergistically associated with renal dysfunction among community‐dwelling persons.

A hybrid approach for classification and identification of iris damaged levels of alcohol drinkers

In modern culture, the rise in consumption of alcohol has caused many issues and its potentially adverse effects on human health are a well-known reality. The image of Iris helps to diagnose the alcohol drinkers efficiently. The prevailing methodology can take up plenty of time to execute the process, and may also produce less accuracy. This paper has proposedan effective method forthe classification of alcohol drinkersas well as the identification of iris damaged levels utilizing MDLNN. Initially, the Log Gabor (LG), HOG feature, GLAC feature, LGXP,alongsidecanny edge detection (CED), features are extracted as of the alcohol drinker’s image. Next, the extracted features are selected utilizing BFO. Next, the imageis classifiedas a more, medium, or less drunk withthe helpof MDLNN. Later on, the AHE is used to enhance the contrast of the drunken person’s iris image. Then, the image’s foreground is enhanced by utilizing HGBFDWT. Thereafter, segmentation is performed based upon the mask value utilizing OTMO. Finally, findwhat proportion(percentage) the irisis damagedbased upon the Euclidean distance betwixtthe originaliris image of the drunk personand thesegmented damaged level of the iris image. In an experimental assessment, the proposed work attains better accuracy than the prevailing methodologies.

An investigation into omfs traumatic injuries during the fifa world cup 2018

Background: The 2018 FIFA World Cup, held in Russia, saw England rise to the semi-finals before their defeat. With this, there was an anticipated rise in alcohol consumption and associated aggression, and inter-personal violence in the UK. In order to ascertain if there was an increase in Oral and Maxillofacial (OMFS) injuries in real terms we undertook a retrospective analysis of patients attending the emergency department (ED) over the timeframe of the 2018 World Cup and assess if there was a positive correlation with the number of alleged assaults.

Women's role in the rise in drinking in Australia 1950-80: an age-period-cohort analysis of data from the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study.

In Australia, as in many countries, alcohol consumption increased dramatically during the second half of the 20th century, with increased availability of alcohol, relaxation of attitudes towards drinking and shifting roles and opportunities for women as facilitating factors. We sought to investigate drinking trends by gender and birth cohort in Australia during this period. Retrospective cohort study. Using the usual frequency and quantity of beverage-specific alcohol intake for 10-year periods from age 20, reported retrospectively from 40 789 participants aged 40-69years (born 1920-49) at recruitment to the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study in 1990-94, we compared trends in alcohol consumption by sex in Australia between 1950 and 1990. Participants' average daily consumption for age decades were transformed to estimated intakes for 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1990. Alcohol consumption was higher for men than women during each decade. Alcohol consumption increased for both sexes in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and fell after 1980. The rise before 1980 was roughly equal in absolute terms for both sexes, but much greater relative to 1950 for women. Women born during 1930-39 and 1940-49 drank more alcohol during early-middle adulthood (ages 20-40) than women born during 1920-29. In the 1980s, the fall was greater in absolute terms for men, but roughly equal relative to 1950 for both sexes. In both sexes, the decline in drinking in the 1980s for birth-decade cohorts was roughly in parallel. Specific birth cohorts were influential in the rise in alcohol consumption by Australian women born in 1920-49 after World War II. Much of the convergence with men's drinking after 1980 reflects large reductions in drinking among men.

Responsible Beverage Service Practices: Comparison between India and Australia

Sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages have been rising globally. This is making the alcohol industry worth over $1344 billion today. This rise in alcohol consumption has not been without its gray shades in the form of alcohol abuse, alcohol-related crimes, accidents and deaths. This paper studies and compares the Responsible Beverage Service practices between India and Australia to understand its scope and impact. The study draws upon review and analysis of research and data from literature and alcohol policies of the two countries. The study reveals the similarities and differences in the approach towards Responsible Beverage Service between these two countries and suggests methods to strengthen this practice in India.

Aetiology and risk factors for oral cancer, with special reference to tobacco and alcohol use

Animal experiments, in vitro studies of mechanisms, biological plausibility and massive epidemiological evidence prove that tobacco-smoked and unsmoked - is the major cause of oral cancer in the world. In Hungary today tobacco is mostly smoked in cigarettes, the smoking prevalence being amongst the highest in Europe: it is no surprise that Hungary has the highest rate of oral cancer in the world today. Tobacco use, however, synergises with heavy alcohol use in a dose dependent manner, the effect being supermultiplicative: most of the rising incidence of oral cancer in Europe is probably due to rising alcohol consumption in recent decades in the presence of continuing high levels of tobacco use. Smaller roles can be ascribed to inherited predisposition, environmental agents, poor diet, infections with viruses and fungi and poor oral hygiene/oral health care. The approach to primary prevention is thus clear, and must emphasise tobacco avoidance and sensible use of alcohol, together with good nutrition and dental care.

Atrial Fibrillation is Strongly Associated With the Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Retrospective Study.

No study has investigated the relationship between hospital-admission neutrophil and lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and various stroke risk factors. We sought to determine which stroke risk factor could be the most appropriate predictor of NLR in acute ischemic stroke. We collected data on various stroke risk factors and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score in 1,053 acute ischemic stroke patients. The regression analysis was adjusted for confounding factors such as stroke risk factors. There was a trend of increased NLR with a rise in alcohol consumption, the prevalence of hypertension, cardioembolism (CE) etiology, the NIHSS scores in men and the prevalence of atrial fibrillation, other heart diseases, CE and small vessel occlusion etiology and the NIHSS scores in women. Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted for confounding factors, showed that the atrial fibrillation and NIHSS scores in men and atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus as well as NIHSS scores in women had a significant positive association with NLR. However, a negative association was showed for body mass index (BMI). We confirmed that the atrial fibrillation can be a predictor of high NLR in acute stroke patients, and diabetes mellitus as well as low BMI could be a predictor of high NLR in female acute ischemic stroke patients.

Monitoring of alcohol consumption in primary care among adults with bipolar disorder: A cross-sectional and retrospective cohort study

BackgroundScreening for alcohol use disorders is an important priority in the healthcare of people with bipolar disorder, incentivised in UK primary care since 2011, through the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). The extent of alcohol monitoring in primary care, and impact of QOF, is unknown. The aim was to examine recording of alcohol consumption in primary care. MethodsPoisson regression of biennial alcohol recording rates between 2000 and 2013 among 14,051 adults with bipolar disorder and 90,023 adults without severe mental illness (SMI), from 484 general practices contributing to The Health Improvement Network UK-wide primary care database. ResultsAlcohol recording rates among people with bipolar disorder increased from 88.6 records per 1000 person-years (95% confidence interval 81.2–96.6) in 2000/2002 to 837.4 records per 1000 person-years (817.4–858.0) in 2011/2013; a more than nine-fold increase, mainly occurring after the introduction of the QOF incentive in 2011. In 2000/2002 alcohol recording levels among people with bipolar disorder were not statistically significantly different from those without SMI (adjusted rate ratio 0.96, 0.88–1.05). By 2011/2013, people with bipolar disorder were over four times as likely to have an alcohol record: adjusted rate ratio 4.45 (4.15–4.77). LimitationsThe routinely collected data may be incomplete. Alcohol data entered as free-text was not captured. ConclusionsThe marked rise in alcohol consumption recording highlights what can be achieved. It is most likely attributable to QOF, suggesting that QOF, or similar schemes, can be powerful tools in promoting aspects of healthcare.

Embryotoxic Effects of Alcohol on Pregnancy

Introduction : There is now an ever-increasing recognition that alcohol is one of the most common chemical teratogens. Researchers have shown that, in recent years, regular alcohol consumption has increased alarmingly among the female population, and particularly among younger women and teenage girls. This sharp rise in alcohol consumption among women in childbearing age is a cause of concern to study the dangers of maternal alcohol intake. Method : The present study had been envisaged to elicit in mice: the possible embryotoxic effects of alcohol exposure over developing mice embryos; dose effect relationship by choosing two doses: and the time effect relationship when a particular dose is given during total gestational period or during major organogenesis period. Results : It was found that there was higher incidence of resorptions in treated groups. The survivors showed intrauterine growth retardation. The dose and time relationship was also established. Conclusion : It is concluded that the alcohol is embryotoxin. It may result in resorptions - early as well as late and can be an important causative factor for infertility and missed abortions in females.

Abstract 16331: Alcohol Consumption and Its Relation to Obesity in a Population-Based Study in Finland

Introduction: Alcohol is the second most energy-dense macronutrient and it is metabolized very effectively. The previous results, however, do not conclusively confirm a positive association between alcohol consumption and BMI. In several studies, moderate alcohol consumers have shown lower BMI than abstainers, despite their higher daily energy intake. Our aim was to determine associations of alcohol consumption with energy intake and BMI. Methods: The National FINRISK 2012 Health Study consisted of 4776 participants aged 25-74 years. The Study included questionnaires and measured weight and height. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess participants’ whole diet. Findings: Of men, 12% were classified as abstainers and 6% as heavy drinkers, while the percentages for women were 25% and 3%, respectively. The mean daily alcohol consumption was 12.9 g among men and 4.4 g among women. Alcohol consumption had a highly skewed distribution; the participants in the highest alcohol quintile consumed about half of all reported alcohol (46% for men and 44% for women). Men consumed 71% of all the reported alcohol. In men and women, daily energy intake increased with rising alcohol consumption. However, there were no differences in the non-alcoholic energy intake from foods between alcohol consumption categories (p-value was 0.15 for men and 0.74 for women). The U-shaped association between low/moderate alcohol consumption and BMI was observed, especially in women. Moderate female alcohol consumers were 1.5-2 BMI units leaner than the others, whereas the difference was below 1 BMI unit in male. Conclusions: Alcohol consumers did not habitually substitute food items with alcohol beverages. The participants with low or moderate alcohol consumption, however, had the lowest BMI. The reasons for moderate drinkers being leaner than abstainers remain an interesting open question. Obesity, however, can partly explain the U-shaped association found between alcohol consumption and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Rising alcohol consumption and a high prevalence of problem drinking in black men and women in Cape Town: the CRIBSA study

BackgroundTo determine the prevalence and determinants of problematic alcohol use (CAGE ≥2) in 25–74-year-old black population in Cape Town in 2008/2009 and examine the changes in self-reported alcohol consumption between...

Differential impact of the economic recession on alcohol use among white British adults, 2004–2010

Unlike other west European countries, there is a long-term trend of rising alcohol consumption and mortality in England. Whether drinking will rise or fall during the current recession is widely debated. We examined how the recession affected alcohol use in adults in England using individual-level data. We analysed a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized white persons aged 20-60 years from seven waves of the Health Survey for England, 2004-2010 (n = 36 525), to assess trends in alcohol use and frequency before, during and after the recession and in association with unemployment, correcting for possible changes in sample composition and socio-demographic confounders. The primary analysis compared 2006/7 with 2008/9, following the official onset of the UK recession in early 2008. During England's recession, there was a significant decrease in frequent drinking defined as drinking four or more days in the past week (27.1% in 2006 to 23.9% in 2009, P < 0.001), the number of units of alcohol imbibed on the heaviest drinking day (P < 0.01) and the number of days that individuals reported drinking over the past seven days (P < 0.01). However, among current drinkers who were unemployed there was a significantly elevated risk of binge drinking in 2009 and 2010 (odds ratio = 1.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.22-2.19, P = 0.001) that was not previously observed in 2004-2008 (1.03, 0.76-1.41; test for effect heterogeneity: P = 0.036). England's recession was associated with less hazardous drinking among the population overall, but with rises in binge drinking among a smaller high-risk group of unemployed drinkers.