Follow up study of moderate alcohol intake and mortality among middle aged men in Shanghai, China.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk of death associated with various patterns of alcohol intake.


METHODS
Prospective study of mortality in relation to alcohol consumption at recruitment, with active annual follow up.


METHODS
Four small, geographically defined communities in Shanghai, China.


METHODS
18,244 men aged 45-64 years enrolled in a prospective study of diet and cancer during January 1986 to September 1989.


METHODS
All cause mortality.


RESULTS
By 28 February 1995, 1198 deaths (including 498 from cancer, 269 from stroke, and 104 from ischaemic heart disease) had been identified. Compared with lifelong non-drinkers, those who consumed 1-14 drinks a week had a 19% reduction in overall mortality (relative risk 0.81; 95% confidence interval 0.70 to 0.94) after age, level of education, and cigarette smoking were adjusted for. This protective effect was not restricted to any specific type of alcoholic drink. Although light to moderate drinking (28 or fewer drinks per week) was associated with a 36% reduction in death from ischaemic heart disease (0.64; 0.41 to 0.998), it had no effect on death from stroke, which is the leading cause of death in this population. As expected, heavy drinking (29 or more drinks per week) was significantly associated with increased risks of death from cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract, hepatic cirrhosis, and stroke.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular consumption of small amounts of alcohol is associated with lower overall mortality including death from ischaemic heart disease in middle aged Chinese men. The type of alcoholic drink does not affect this association.
Yuan
J M
JM
Department of Preventive Medicine, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Ross
R K
RK
Gao
Y T
YT
Henderson
B E
BE
Yu
M C
MC
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000401:mortality*; D001515:Beer; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000401:mortality; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014920:Wine