Age at first drink as a predictor of all-cause mortality of middle-aged Koreans
Journal article
Abstract
Background
Early alcohol use is hazardous to health and restrictions to age at first alcoholic drink (AFD) is a cornerstone of public health policy in many nations.
The researchers explored the long-term impact of AFD on mortality after early adulthood in community-dwelling Koreans.
Methods
A cohort of 36, 159 adults aged 35–64 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, linked to cause-of-death statistics, was followed up for a median of 9.9 years. Based on AFD with a cutoff at South Korea’s legal minimum age for alcohol consumption, the participants were divided into three groups: AFD < 19, AFD ≥ 19, and lifetime abstainer.
The outcome variable was all-cause mortality.
Results
A total of 9723 (26.9%) participants reported AFD < 19.
During the follow-up, 1073 (3.0%) participants died.
AFD < 19 was associated with an increased risk of mortality than lifetime abstainers.
Female alcohol users with AFD < 19 showed an increased risk of mortality than female lifetime abstainers.
Current alcohol users with AFD < 19 was associated with a greater risk of mortality than those with AFD ≥ 19.
Among participants with high-risk alcohol consumption habits, AFD < 19 was associated with a greater risk of mortality than AFD ≥ 19.
Conclusion
Individuals with AFD < 19 were at greater risk of mortality than lifetime abstainers; earlier AFD was associated with a greater mortality risk than later AFD. Prevention and early intervention programs can improve the long-term health of alcohol-consuming population.