Influence of age on the relationship between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND: Relationships between alcohol consumption and risks for metabolic syndrome in general populations are very controversial. It is unknown whether age influences the relationship between alcohol intake and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether age influences the relationship between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome.

METHODS: Men aged >/=35 and /=65 years (older group), matched for alcohol intake and smoking history, were divided into four subgroups by alcohol intake [non-, light (/=22 and /=44 g ethanol/day) drinkers]. Odds ratios (ORs) versus nondrinkers for each risk factor and metabolic syndrome were compared between the younger and older groups.

RESULTS: Both in the younger and older groups, ORs for high blood pressure and low HDL cholesterol were significantly high and low, respectively, in all drinker groups. In younger subjects, the OR for large waist circumference was significantly low in light drinkers, and the OR for high hemoglobin A(1c) was significantly low in light and heavy drinkers, while these associations were not found in older subjects. The OR for metabolic syndrome was significantly low in light and heavy drinkers in the younger subjects but was not significant in any drinker groups in older subjects.

CONCLUSION: Age influences the relationships between alcohol consumption and atherosclerotic risk factors, and there is a significant association between alcohol intake and a lower risk for metabolic syndrome in young men but not in elderly men.