Alcohol use, abuse and dependence in an older European population: Results from the MentDis_ICF65+ study

Abstract

BackgroundAlcohol use disorders (AUD) in older people have been the subject of increasing interest in Europe and worldwide. However, thus far, no reliable data exist regarding the prevalence of AUD in people over the age of 65 years in Europe.ObjectiveTo assess the current (past month), 12-month and lifetime prevalence of alcohol use, abuse and dependence in people aged 65–84 years.Study designThe MentDis_ICF65+ study was a representative stepwise cross-sectional survey that was conducted in six European and associated cities (Hamburg, Germany; Ferrara, Italy; London/Canterbury, England; Madrid, Spain; Geneva, Switzerland and Jerusalem, Israel).MethodIn total, 3,142 community-dwelling people aged between 65 and 84 years who lived in participating cities were assessed with an age-sensitive diagnostic interview (CIDI65+).ResultsThe prevalence of lifetime alcohol use was 81% for the overall sample. The observed AUD (DSM-IV-TR) prevalence was as follows: current, 1.1%; 12-month, 5.3% and lifetime, 8.8%. Alcohol consumption and AUD were more prevalent in males, and a significant interaction between gender and city was observed; greater gender differences in the prevalence of these disorders were observed in Hamburg, London/Canterbury and Geneva in comparison to the other cities. The prevalence of lifetime alcohol consumption and 12-month AUD tended to be lower in older persons.ConclusionThe results highlight the appropriateness of using age-adjusted diagnostic tools (CIDI65+) to identify alcohol use and AUD in older people. Different alcohol use patterns were observed in males and females. The results seem to indicate the presence of different alcohol use patterns between northern and southern European countries. Specialized services are proposed, including brief and/or more intensive interventions framed intensive and more simple interventions framed in stepped care strategies, to improve the social and health resources available for older people across Europe.

Quality of life, level of functioning, and its relationship with mental and physical disorders in the elderly: results from the MentDis_ICF65+ study

“…The recruitment and consent procedure was approved by research ethics committees in all participating countries. A detailed description of the methodology has been provided elsewhere, including data regarding the analysis of representativeness, that showed only significant differences with a small effect size for some sociodemographic characteristics between the MentDis_ICF65+ study sample and the population of the respective catchment area and the country of each study center [19,21].…”

Alcohol Consumption among the Elderly Citizens in Hungary and Serbia—Comparative Assessment

“…However, today, a growing number of researchers are emphasizing the clinical and public health significance of alcohol consumption in the elderly, both in developed and in developing countries [9,10]. Although there are different alcohol use patterns among European countries and the prevalence of alcohol use disorders, alcohol consumption patterns in the elderly are linked not only to certain cultural patterns of behaviour and aging-related health conditions, but also to the need for relaxation [11][12][13]. On the relevant medical databases, at this moment, few studies are available on alcohol consumption among older people, but the data are very different and there is no systematic data analysis on this topic [14][15][16][17][18].…”

Increased Alcohol Consumption Among Swedish 70‐Year‐Olds 1976 to 2016: Analysis of Data from The Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies, Sweden

“…Older adults do engage in alcohol consumption (Muñoz et al., ). From a public health perspective, data on alcohol consumption in the older segment of the population can serve as a basis for structural planning and resource allocation (Keyes et al., ).…”