Persistent light to moderate alcohol intake and lung function: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Alcohol intake has been inconsistently associated with lung function levels in cross-sectional studies. The goal of our study was to determine whether longitudinally assessed light-to-moderate alcohol intake is associated with levels and decline of lung function. We examined data from 1333 adult participants in the population-based Tucson Epidemiological Study of Airway Obstructive Disease. Alcohol intake was assessed with four surveys between 1972 and 1992. Subjects who completed at least two surveys were classified into longitudinal drinking categories ("never", "inconsistent", or "persistent drinker"). Spirometric lung function was measured in up to 11 surveys between 1972 and 1992. Random coefficient models were used to test for differences in lung function by drinking categories. After adjustment for sex, age, height, education, BMI categories, smoking status, and pack-years, as compared to never-drinkers, persistent drinkers had higher FVC (coefficient: 157 mL, p < 0.001), but lower FEV/FVC ratio (-2.3%, p < 0.001). Differences were due to a slower decline of FVC among persistent than among never-drinkers (p = 0.003), and these trends were present independent of smoking status. Inconsistent drinking showed similar, but weaker associations. After adjustment for potential confounders, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a significantly decreased rate of FVC decline over adult life.

Alcohol intake, beverage type, and lung function: a multicohort study of Chinese adults

“…Vasquez et al . revealed increased FVC levels in light to moderate drinkers 27 . However, they did not evaluate the effect of beverage type or average daily amount of alcohol intake of different beverage types on lung function.…”

“…14 Vasquez et al revealed increased FVC levels in light to moderate drinkers. 27 However, they did not evaluate the effect of beverage type or average daily amount of alcohol intake of different beverage types on lung function. Our findings indicated significant association between moderate alcohol intake and increased FEV 1 and FVC among red wine and liquor drinkers; thus, moderate alcohol intake may be a protective factor for lung function, especially for red wine.…”

Association of bone mineral density with lung function in a Chinese general population: the Xinxiang rural cohort study

“…While physical activity, vitamin D and calcium supplementation have been reported to contribute to the prevention of fractures and the improvement of pulmonary function, although the mechanisms underlying these associations are not fully understood [17–20]. Also socioeconomic status [21, 22], alcohol consumption [23, 24], and dietary habits [25, 26] are independently associated with BMD and lung function, and therefore can confound the association between the two. However, these confounding factors have not all been taken into consideration by previous studies.…”

Factors Associated With Asthma in Brazilian Adolescents: National Adolescent School-Based Health Survey (Pense-2012)

“…Despite the common association between smoking and alcoholic beverages, alcohol consumption in our study was associated with asthma regardless of smoking. Although several effects of level of consumption and type of alcoholic beverage on pulmonary function have already been identified, PeNSE-2012 does not provide this information, which impedes a safe interpretation of findings related; 28 however, alcohol consumption suppresses Th1-dependent immune response to allergens and distorts Th2 response, which leads to increased production and release of cytokines and immunoglobulin E (IgE). Therefore, individuals who make high alcohol consumption are at higher risk for allergic respiratory diseases 29 …”