Epidemiology of alcohol consumption among elderly people living in private households: Results from the 2007 telephone health survey

Epidemiology of alcohol consumption among elderly people living in private households: Results from the 2007 telephone health survey

Journal Article

2009

Sucht

55

5

281 - 291

2009

09395911 (ISSN)

Aim: Meaningful data about the alcohol consumption of elderly people living in private households in Germany are limited. This study aimed to assess alcohol consumption among elderly people living in private households. Method: In 2007, the Telephone Health Survey was conducted without age limitations at the Robert Koch Institute. Alcohol consumption was measured among 2,503 women and men aged 18 years and older using the AUDIT-C. 547 (22 %) of the respondents were aged 60 years or older. Results: The results showed lower mean alcohol consumption among women aged 70 and older, but there was only a non-significant decrease in consumption among elderly men. Among the women, alcohol consumption was related to socio-economic status. Women in the lowest socio-economic status group consumed less alcohol than women in the higher groups. This difference was greatest after the age of 70. Comparisons among risky and moderate drinkers and non-drinkers showed twice as many non-drinkers and fewer moderate and risky drinkers among women aged 70 and older. Risky drinking was less frequent among women of lower socio-economic status. Conclusion: Gender, age, socioeconomic status, and regional differences should be considered when analysing alcohol consumption among elderly people.