ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: An increase in alcohol consumption and related harmful effects has been reported among the elderly population in Asia. Of note, it is important to monitor patterns of alcohol use, and to establish a valid and reliable evaluation system when screening for risky consumption in this age group. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the possible alcoholic liver disease (ALD) risk factors of a local population in elderly Chinese adults. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 3393 Chinese adults over 40 years old in Hefei. Alcohol consumption was determined based on the AUDIT questionnaire. ALD was defined by ALD diagnostic standards. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) derived from multiple logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between ALD and sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: Among 2545 total interviewees, 448 (17.6%) reported a history of alcohol consumption in the previous 12 months. Of these drinkers, 46.7% were male and 53.3% were female. The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient for AUDIT was 0.648. The rate of ALD was 6.83%. Alcohol abuse was significantly associated with ALD. In the logistical model, alcohol abuse was independently associated with ALD (OR = 6.17, 95% CI: 3.69-15.24; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol use, sex, age, and facial flushing were risk factors for ALD. These results provide important evidence for the prevention and therapy of ALD.
