Abstract
Background and Aims
Observational studies suggest an association between moderate alcohol consumption and cardioprotective effects. However, the role of alcohol consumption on chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains inconclusive, and little is known about whether age influences the effects alcohol consumtion. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between alcohol consumption and chronic kidney disease in a population-based survey.
Method
We used data from the Taiwanese Survey on Prevalences of Hypertension, Hyperglycemia, and Hyperlipidemia. This is a population-based survey which applied a multistage, stratified, and random sampling from population throughout Taiwan in 2007. The survey assessed the prevalence, awareness, and treatment of metabolic syndrome by body measurements, structured questionnaires, and examinations of blood and urine. We obtained data of adult participants, including demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, lifestyle habits, and results of blood and urine exams. According to the frequency of alcohol consumption, we categorized participants into frequent drinkers (at least 1 time per week), occasional drinkers (less than 1 time per week), and nondrinkers. The study outcome was CKD, which was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or a dipstick proteinuria ≥ 1+. The eGFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for study outcome comparing different levels of alcohol consumption. To evaluate the influence of age, we stratified participants into younger (age < 45 years) and older (age ≥ 45 years) subgroups.
Results
The mean age of the participants were 48 years, with a female prevalence of 53% and CKD prevalence of 12%. There were 2,197 older participants and 1,770 younger participants. There were 548 frequent drinkers, 915 occasional drinkers, and 2,504 nondrinkers. Compared with nondrinkers, occasional drinkers (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43-0.81) and frequent drinkers (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.44-0.87) showed a lower hazard risk of CKD (Table). Among those with an age ≥ 45 years, occasional drinkers (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.30-0.81) showed a lower risk of CKD but frequent drinkers (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.49-1.01) showed a borderline lower risk of of CKD compared with nondrinkers (Table). Among those with an age < 45 years, only frequent drinkers (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.13-1.00) showed a lower risk of CKD compared with nondrinkers (Table).
Conclusion
Our study showed that alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk of CKD, and this effect seemed to be more prominent among frequent drinkers and those with an age ≥ 45 years. Whether alcohol consumption provides renoprotective effects, as well as the influence of age, requires longitudinal studies.
Prevalence and factors associated to chronic kidney disease in older adults
