Self-reported alcohol consumption and falls in older adults: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of the cardiovascular health study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between alcohol consumption and risk of falls in older adults.


METHODS
Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.


METHODS
Four U.S. communities.


METHODS
A total of 5,841 older adults enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study, an ongoing, population-based, prospective cohort study, participated.


METHODS
Self-reported alcohol consumption at baseline, self-reported frequent falls at baseline, and the 4-year risk of falls of participants who denied frequent falls at baseline.


RESULTS
Cross-sectional analysis indicated an apparent inverse association between alcohol consumption and risk of frequent falls (adjusted odds ratio in consumers of 14 or more drinks per week=0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.14-1.17; P for trend=.06), but longitudinal analysis indicated a similar 4-year risk of falls in abstainers and light to moderate drinkers but a 25% higher risk in consumers of 14 or more drinks per week (95% CI=3-52%; P for trend=.07). Similar results were found in analyses stratified by age, sex, race, and physical activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Consumption of 14 or more drinks per week is associated with an increased risk of subsequent falls in older adults. Cross-sectional studies may fail to identify this risk of heavier drinking, perhaps because older adults at risk for falls decrease their alcohol use over time or because heavier drinkers at risk for falls tend not to enroll in cohort studies. However, because this study relied upon annual reporting of falls, further prospective studies should be conducted to confirm these findings.
Mukamal
Kenneth J
KJ
Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. kmukamal@caregroup.harvard.edu
Mittleman
Murray A
MA
Longstreth
W T
WT
Newman
Anne B
AB
Fried
Linda P
LP
Siscovick
David S
DS
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D014481:United States