In recent population-based study, researchers selected population-representative cohorts from Hong Kong (FAMILY Cohort) and the United States (National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions [NESARC]) to evaluate the associations between changes in moderate alcohol consumptions and quality of life from 2 distinct populations. All participants’ alcohol measurements were available at 2 time points over a 4-year period. Physical and mental well-being were measured by use of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) version 2, which comprises the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS).
In the FAMILY cohort, the sample size was 10,386, after the exclusion of 41 participants with incomplete alcohol use patterns or outcomes. The mean age was 49.3 (SD 17.4) years, and the proportion of men was 44.2% (n= 4,592). Men and women who were lifetime abstainers had the highest level of mental well-being at baseline, with mean mental health scores of 54.8 (SD 7.3) in men (n = 2,191) and 53.6 (SD 8.2) in women (n = 4,563). Additionally, female quitters (n = 444) had greater improvement in mental well-being relative to lifetime abstainers. Female quitters (n = 444) had a greater improvement in mental well-being relative to lifetime abstainers (ß = 1.44, 95% CI 0.43 to 2.45), which indicated that the change in mental well-being in female quitters was 1.44 points higher than that in female abstainers. Male persistent former drinkers (n = 127) had a greater improvement in mental well-being (ß = 2.10, 95% CI 0.30 to 3.89), which indicated that the change in mental well-being in male persistent former drinkers was 2.10 points higher than that in male abstainers.
In the NESARC cohort, the sample size was 31,079, after the exclusion of 286 participants with missing outcomes. The mean age was 46.3 (SD 17.5) years, and the proportion of men was 40.6%. Researchers found that women and men who were lifetime abstainers had the highest levels of mental well-being at baseline, with mean scores of 52.0 (SD 10.6) in women (n = 3,533) and 54.0 (SD 9.7) in men (n = 1,035). Researchers externally validated associations detected in the FAMILY cohort using the NESARC. Results were consistent in that female quitters had a more favorable change in mental well-being (ß =0.83, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.58), with the mean score change of -1.1 for quitters and -1.6 for lifetime abstainers. Researchers suggest quitting drinking may be associated with a more favorable change in mental well-being, approaching the level of lifetime abstainers.
Reference:
Yao XI et al. CMAJ. 2019;191(27):E753-E760. PDF
For more information: