Alcohol consumption and its relation to risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the north-west of Russia: the Arkhangelsk study.
BACKGROUND
To explore indicators and levels of alcohol consumption in a Russian population, and to elaborate these in relation to risk factors for cardiovascular disease.


METHODS
A total of 1963 men and 1734 women, aged 18-75 years, consecutively recruited at their compulsory annual medical check-up at the Semashko outpatient clinic, Arkhangelsk, participated in a cross-sectional health survey. The survey comprised a physical examination, a six-page questionnaire on health and lifestyle, and blood tests.


RESULTS
Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels in both sexes were more than twice as high as found in comparable studies. Elevated GGT-levels were 4-5 times more frequent than found in Norwegian studies. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) identified up to 75% of male workers and 47% of female workers as hazardous or harmful alcohol drinkers. The traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease were significantly higher in subjects with a high level of GGT.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate an extremely high level of alcohol consumption in this population. Elevation in GGT was significantly associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease.
Nilssen
Odd
O
Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsö, Norway. Odd.Nilssen@ism.uit.no
Averina
Maria
M
Brenn
Tormod
T
Brox
Jan
J
Kalinin
Alexei
A
Archipovski
Vadim
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D012307:Risk Factors; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase