Relationship between Alcohol Intake and Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome in Men.
OBJECTIVE
The precise relationship between alcohol intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is still unclear, and the results from previous studies have been inconclusive. Thus, we examined the effect of alcohol intake on the risk of MetS in men in order to gain more information on a potential relationship.


METHODS
This study included 22,349 men who were divided into four groups according to their average alcohol intake [non-, light (less than 20 g ethanol/day), heavy (equal or more than 20 g and less than 60 g ethanol/day) and very heavy (equal and greater than 60 g ethanol/day) drinkers]. We measured each subject's body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and blood pressure (BP) and conducted a blood test to obtain a complete blood count and biochemical panel. These results were used to obtain the MetS prevalence. Additionally, fatty liver was diagnosed using abdominal ultrasonography.


RESULTS
Light drinkers had smaller waist circumferences. Heavy and very heavy drinkers had larger waist circumferences, a higher BMI, a higher BP, higher fasting plasma glucose levels, higher triglycerides (TG) levels and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels while they had lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than nondrinkers. The prevalence of high BP, hyperglycemia and high TG was significantly higher in heavy and very heavy drinkers than in nondrinkers. The prevalence of low HDL cholesterol levels decreased with an increase in alcohol consumption. The prevalence of MetS was significantly lower in light drinkers and higher in very heavy drinkers compared with nondrinkers.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol intake significantly influences the risk of MetS in men. A significant association was seen between an alcohol intake of 60 g/day or higher and the prevalence of MetS.
Health Management Center, Toranomon Hospital, Japan.
Miharu
M
Hirakawa
Yasuji
Y
Arase
Kazuhisa
K
Amakawa
Yuki
Y
Ohmoto-Sekine
Makiko
M
Ishihara
Masato
M
Shiba
Kyoko
K
Ogawa
Chikao
C
Okuda
Toyohisa
T
Jinno
Hisahito
H
Kato
Hiroyuki
H
Tsuji
Mitsuyo
M
Hashimoto
Takashi
T
Yamamoto
Satao
S
Arimoto
Shigeko
S
Hara
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D055105:Waist Circumference
D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides