Alcohol intake and survival in Australian seniors: The Dubbo Study

Consumption of moderate amounts of alcohol, compared with abstention or with heavy intake, appears to be associated with reduced all-cause mortality (ACM) in middle-aged subjects. The Dubbo Study of Australian elderly is a longitudinal study of healthy ageing. In 1988-89 we examined 2805 non-institutionalised citizens 60+ years of age born before 1930, mean age 69 years. The cohort comprised 1233 men and 1572 women, representing 73% of the eligible population. This report examines the relationship between alcohol intake and mortality in this cohort during follow-up over 20 years. Alcohol intake was arbitrarily grouped into 4 categories: nil, low, moderate and heavy. The analysis could not distinguish between intake of wine versus intake of spirits. 78% of men and 52% of women reported some alcohol intake. Most men reported an intake of 1–14 drinks/week, most women 1–7 drinks/week; 87% of male drinkers and 44% of female drinkers predominantly consumed beer and the remainder consumed wine and/or spirits. Over 20 years to 2008, 66% of men and 53% of women died; 64% of male drinkers died versus 72% of non-drinkers; 46% versus 60% in females. In a multivariate model, ACM was related to quantity of alcohol intake in the familiar “U” shaped relationship, being 20% and 28% reduced in the low and moderate intake categories respectively, compared with nil intake. This relationship was similar in men and women, and with intake of beer or wine/spirits. Any alcohol intake added 12 months survival time in men and women over the follow-up period. Alcohol intake in the low to moderate range appeared to offer protection against the onset of dementia. The overall Dubbo results are not unique, but are applicable to senior citizens. A “healthy survivor” effect may be partially operating in this context.