Search resultsAssociations between lung function and alcohol consumption - Assessed by both a questionnaire and a blood marker
Title
Associations between lung function and alcohol consumption - Assessed by both a questionnaire and a blood marker
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2014
Authors
Journal
Respiratory Medicine
Volume
108
Issue
1
Pagination
114 - 121
Date published
2014
ISBN
09546111 (ISSN)
Keywords
Adult, Aged, Airflow obstruction, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, article, audit c questionnaire, Biological Markers, body plethysmography, Bronchitis, Chronic, C reactive protein, C-Reactive Protein, carbohydrate deficient transferrin, carbon monoxide, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive lung disease, controlled study, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diffusion capacity for CO, drinking behavior, Female, human, Humans, lung diffusion capacity, lung function, major clinical study, male, Middle Aged, Plethysmography, Whole Body, priority journal, Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity, Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Pulmonary Emphysema, Pulmonary function tests, questionnaire, Questionnaires, Respiratory Function Tests, Risk Factors, smoking, spirometry, Sweden, Transferrin
Abstract
Background: Studies on the influence of alcohol consumption on lung function have shown conflicting results. Self-reported alcohol consumption may be inaccurate. This study used both a validated alcohol questionnaire and a blood marker of heavy alcohol consumption, and examined potential associations with different lung physiological variables. Methods: The study population (450 subjects) answered an alcohol questionnaire (AUDIT-C) and performed spirometry, body plethysmography and a test for diffusing capacity for CO (D L,CO). Carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT), a clinically used blood marker for identifying heavy alcohol consumption, and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation were analysed. Results: Using AUDIT-C, 407 subjects were alcohol drinkers and 29 non-drinkers. Of the alcohol drinkers, 224 subjects were "hazardous drinkers" and 183 "moderate drinkers". Thirty-four subjects had a CDT ≥2.0% (=heavy drinkers). There was no difference in lung function between hazardous and moderate drinkers. Heavy drinkers had lower DL,CO (74% vs 83% PN, p = 0.003), more symptoms of chronic bronchitis (p = 0.001) and higher AUDIT-C scores (p < 0.001) than non-heavy drinkers. After adjustments (pack years and CRP) the difference in DL,CO (p = 0.037) remained. Multiple regression showed an association between CDT and both FEV1 (p = 0.004) and D L,CO (p = 0.012) in all alcohol drinkers, but not in never-smokers. The AUDIT-C score was associated with CDT (also after adjustments, p < 0.001) but not with any lung function variable. Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that alcohol and particularly heavy drinking has an independent additive negative effect on lung function in smokers.