Alcohol consumption and cognitive impairment among Korean older adults: does gender matter?
BACKGROUND
This study investigated gender differences in the relationship between alcohol consumption and cognitive impairment among older adults in South Korea.


METHODS
Using data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing, 2,471 females and 1,657 males were analyzed separately. Cognitive impairment was measured based on the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Exam score. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and cognitive impairment among Korean older adults.


RESULTS
Multivariate analysis showed that compared to moderate drinkers, past drinkers were more likely to be cognitively impaired for women, while heavy drinkers were more likely to be cognitively impaired for men.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that the relationship between alcohol consumption and cognition varies with gender. Clinicians and service providers should consider gender differences when developing strategies for the prevention and treatment of alcohol-related cognitive decline among older adults.
Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Jiyoung
J
Lyu
Department of Gerontology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Seungah Hannah
SH
Lee
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors