Behrendt S, Kuerbis A, Becker U, Mejldal A, Andersen K, Søgaard Nielsen A, Tolstrup J, Holm Eliasen M. Distinct health-related risk profiles among middle-aged and older adults with risky alcohol use from the Danish general population.
Drug Alcohol Depend 2021;
226:108872. [PMID:
34246918 DOI:
10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108872]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Knowledge is lacking on distinct health-related risk profiles among the substantial group of middle-aged and older adults with risky alcohol use (AU). Such profiles could inform the planning of interventions and prevention.
AIMS
To 1) identify distinct health-related profiles based on different types of health-related functioning limitations and distress and 2) assess associations between these profiles and age, sex, and health-relevant behaviors (e.g., smoking).
METHODS
Cross-sectional nation-wide Danish health survey with n = 6630 adults aged 55-64 and n = 7605 aged 65-74 with at least risky AU (>84 g ethanol/week in women, >168 in men). Health-related risk profiles were identified with Latent Class Analysis (LCA). Multinomial regression was applied for the association between risk profiles and auxiliary variables.
RESULTS
A six-class LCA solution was found among 55-64 year-olds (classes: 'Normative' [61%], 'Distress' [6%], 'Mental health limitations [5%]', 'Pain-related distress [10%]', 'Broad limitations and pain distress [7%]', 'High overall burden' [11%]) and a five-class solution among 65-74 year-olds. Most classes were comparable across age groups. The 'Distress'-class characterized by pain-distress, tiredness-distress, and sleep-related distress (6%) only showed in the younger group. In both age groups, auxiliary covariates (high-risk AU, possible alcohol use disorder, weekly smoking) were positively associated with problematic profile membership (vs. normative class membership).
CONCLUSION
Middle-aged and older adults with risky AU have distinct health-related profiles relevant for the form and content of prevention and interventions. Despite their distinct features, almost all problematic health profiles warrant careful attention regarding high-risk AU and probable alcohol use disorder.
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