Review: high alcohol intake increases mortality in both men and women.

M e t h o d s Data sources: PubMed (to December 2005) and reference lists. Study selection and assessment: Prospective cohort studies that reported all-cause mortality in adults by level of alcohol intake and separately for men and women. 34 studies met the selection criteria and provided 56 dose-response curves: 37 curves in men (n = 705 596 participants and 78 592 deaths) and 19 curves in women (n = 310 239 participants and 15 941 deaths). The reference category was never-drinkers in 30 curves and may have included occasional or former drinkers in 26 curves. 48 curves were adjusted for such potentially confounding factors as age, social status, and diet. Median duration of follow-up was 11 years (range 5.5 to 26 y). Outcomes: All-cause mortality.