Alcohol consumption and its relation to risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the north-west of Russia: the Arkhangelsk study
Background To explore indicators and levels of alcohol consumption in a Russian population, and to elaborate these in relation to risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Methods A total of 1963 men and 1734 women, aged 18–75 years, consecutively recruited at their compulsory annual medical check-up...
Published in: | International Journal of Epidemiology |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Oxford University Press
2005
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/34/4/781 https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyi078 |
Summary: | Background To explore indicators and levels of alcohol consumption in a Russian population, and to elaborate these in relation to risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Methods A total of 1963 men and 1734 women, aged 18–75 years, consecutively recruited at their compulsory annual medical check-up at the Semashko outpatient clinic, Arkhangelsk, participated in a cross-sectional health survey. The survey comprised a physical examination, a six-page questionnaire on health and lifestyle, and blood tests. Results Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels in both sexes were more than twice as high as found in comparable studies. Elevated GGT-levels were 4–5 times more frequent than found in Norwegian studies. Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) identified up to 75% of male workers and 47% of female workers as hazardous or harmful alcohol drinkers. The traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease were significantly higher in subjects with a high level of GGT. Conclusion The findings indicate an extremely high level of alcohol consumption in this population. Elevation in GGT was significantly associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. |
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