Socio‐economic differences in all‐cause mortality in people with alcohol use disorder: a prospective cohort study
Research Report
Abstract
Background and aims
While alcohol attributable mortality rates are higher in low socioeconomic status (SES) groups, less is known about SES differences in all‐cause mortality in alcohol use disorder (AUD).
The aim of this study was to explore whether there are SES differences in people with AUD, regarding
- treatment admission,
- all‐cause mortality risk, and
- relative mortality risk.
Design and setting
A prospective cohort study in Norway, follow‐up period from 2009/2010 through 2013. Data on SES and mortality were obtained through linkages to national registries, using national unique ID numbers.
Participants
AUD patients (age 20+) admitted to treatment in 2009/2010 (N=11,726) and age and gender frequency matched controls from the general population (N=12,055).
Measurements
SES indicator was education level (low, intermediate and high). Mortality was calculated as deaths per 1000 person years over the 4‐year observation period.
Findings
Admission to AUD treatment was elevated in the low, compared with the high, SES category.
Among AUD patients, mortality risk was elevated in the low SES category. Relative mortality risk from AUD was significantly higher in the high SES compared with the low SES category.
Conclusion
Admission to treatment for alcohol use disorders in Norway appears to decrease with increasing socioeconomic status, and relative mortality risk from alcohol use disorder appears to increase with increasing socioeconomic status.
