Secular changes in at-risk drinking in Sweden: birth cohort comparisons in 75-year-old men and women 1976-2006.
BACKGROUND
little is known about the prevalence of at-risk drinking in older adults.


OBJECTIVE
to compare rates of at-risk drinking in 75-year-olds examined in 1976-77 and in 2005-06.


METHODS
cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
two samples representative of the general population in Gothenburg, Sweden.


METHODS
75-year-olds born in 1901-02 (n = 303) and in 1930 (n = 753).


METHODS
participants took part in a multidisciplinary study on health and ageing. Protocols regarding alcohol consumption were identical for both cohorts. Total weekly alcohol intake was estimated and at-risk drinking was defined as ≥100 g alcohol/week.


RESULTS
the proportion abstaining differed significantly between birth cohorts (18% in 1976-77 versus 9% in 2005, P < 0.001). Frequencies of drinking beer and liquor were similar in the two cohorts for men, but were lower for women in the later-born cohort. Proportions drinking wine were higher in the later-born cohort for both sexes. Total weekly alcohol intake was higher for both men and women. At-risk drinking was observed in 19.3% of the men in the earlier-born cohort, and in 27.4% in the later-born cohort (P = 0.117). Corresponding figures for women were 0.6 and 10.4% (P < 0.001). At-risk drinking was significantly associated with birth cohort in women (OR: 13.77, CI: 1.82-104.0, P = 0.011) and the occupational group in men (OR: 1.60, CI: 1.13-2.26, P = 0.008).


CONCLUSIONS
alcohol consumption in 75-year-olds has changed markedly, especially in women. Studies need to be carried out in varied settings in order to evaluate the clinical and public health implications of changing trends in alcohol consumption.
Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Margda
M
Waern
Tom
T
Marlow
Johanna
J
Morin
Svante
S
Ostling
Ingmar
I
Skoog
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000639:trends*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
alcohol; at-risk drinking; cohort comparisons; older people