title: [Alcohol consumption pattern and coronary heart disease risk in metropolitan São Paulo: analyses of GENACIS Project].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the association between patterns of drinking and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in a populational sample.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based cross-sectional study carried out from January 2006 to June 2007, in Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil, in conjunction with the international collaborative GENACIS project (Gender, Alcohol, and Culture: an International Study), with PAHO support. The subjects (1,501; 609 men, 892 women) of this study were residents of randomly chosen households aged 30 years and above who consented to provide information. The dependent variable was cardiac risk as assessed by the WHO Rose Angina Questionnaire. Logistic Regression analysis was used and the data were adjusted for Body Mass Index (BMI) and smoking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 75%. Being female, older, African-American, a current smoker, and having a greater BMI were associated with higher risk of coronary heart disease. Lifetime abstainers (OR = 2.22) and former drinkers (OR = 2.42) had greater CHD risk than those who consumed up to 19g pure alcohol per day, with no binge. Among those who had binged weekly or more there was a tendency toward higher risk (OR = 3.95, p = .09).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest a lower risk for CHD among moderate drinkers. It is important, in studies which were investigating cardiac risk, assess heavy alcohol use, since it can change that risk. Also, effective public policies are needed to reduce harmful drinking and related morbidity in Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho–UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil. kika.botucatu@gmail.com
authors.forename: Maria Cristina Pereira
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kerr-Côrrea
authors.forename: Jurgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rehm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014504:Urban Health