Association of Alcohol Intake with the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Persons ≥65 Years Old in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Cohort Open Access
Li, Louis (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Background: The association and pathophysiology of alcohol intake with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial and the global burden of AF continues to increase. The greatest risk factor for AF is advanced age, a population that remains understudied. Therefore, this study explores the association of alcohol intake with the incidence of AF in an elderly population ≥65 years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort. Methods: Data was obtained from the ARIC study, an ongoing community-based cohort study since 1987 to identify risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Alcohol intake was assessed through self-report, interviewer-administered questionnaires at routine exam visits. Incident AF was ascertained from hospital discharge codes and death certificates occurring after participants’ Visit 5 exam (2011-2013) through 2019. Participants were stratified according to their drinker status: current, former, and never drinker. Former drinkers were stratified based on weekly alcohol consumption: light (≤3 drinks), moderate (>3 drinks but ≤7 drinks for women; >3 drinks but ≤14 drinks for men), and heavy (>7 drinks for women; >14 drinks for men) drinkers. Additional covariates included demographic characteristics, prevalent cardiovascular disease, and other risk factors. Results: There were 5,131 participants with mean (SD) age of 75.2 (5.0) years, 41% male, 59% female, 77% White, 23% Black, 739 (14%) cases of incident AF and an overall incidence of 23.2 cases per 1,000 person-years. Current (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.83-1.29) and former (HR 1.16, 95% CI 0.93-1.45) drinkers had a similar risk of incident AF compared to never drinkers. Within former drinkers, heavy and moderate drinkers had a slightly higher risk compared to light drinkers (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.84-1.55; HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.75-1.78). There was no difference in the risk of AF per 5-year increase in years of abstinence (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.96-1.03). There was an increase in the risk per 5-year increase in years of drinking (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.96-1.19). Conclusion: We did not find robust evidence of a strong increased risk of AF associated with alcohol consumption in persons aged 65 and older. Our study highlights the need to further explore this relationship in elderly populations
Table of Contents
Introduction.……………………………………………………………………………………….1
Methods……………………………………………………………………………………………3
Results.…………………………………………………………………………………………….7
Discussion...……………………………………………………………………………………….9
Tables…………………………………………………………………………………………….13
Figures……………………………………………………………………………………………15
Supplemental Tables.…………………………………………………………………………….17
References.…………………………………………………………………………………….…18
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Association of Alcohol Intake with the Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in Persons ≥65 Years Old in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Cohort () | 2024-03-21 13:57:45 -0400 |
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