Gender-specific differences in at-risk alcohol consumption among older German adults

BACKGROUND: At-risk alcohol consumption can lead to serious health effects among older adults for several reasons. Older adults generally tolerate alcohol less well due to a slower metabolism, and interactions with medications are more common (as the likelihood of being dependent on medication increases with age). In addition, older people have an increased risk of falling. This analysis examines alcohol consumption among older German adults as well as gender differences in alcohol consumption and at-risk consumption. METHODS: Cross-sectional data of adults aged 65 and older were collected through a community-based full-population postal survey in Puchheim, Germany (n = 1687, 33% response rate, 52% female). The validated AUDIT-C screening instrument was used to assess at-risk alcohol consumption. Gender-specific analyses of average alcohol consumption (t-test) and at-risk alcohol consumption (chi-square test) were performed. Binary logistic regressions were conducted separately by gender to estimate the likelihood of at-risk alcohol consumption depending on socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Older men had a higher average in alcohol consumption than older women, t(1491) = 11.18, p < .001, d = .6. However, in at-risk alcohol consumption, older women (26%) were more often affected than older men (21.4%), χ(2)(1) = 4.13, p = .042, φ =.05. Higher socioeconomic status increased the likelihood of at-risk alcohol consumption among older women, OR = 1.08 (95%−CI[1.011, 1.153], p = .022), but not among older men. CONCLUSIONS: At-risk alcohol consumption among older German adults affected one in four women and one in five men. Surprisingly, more older women reported at-risk alcohol consumption than older men, and it was associated with a higher socioeconomic status only in older women. This information is important for developing targeted interventions, especially for older women. KEY MESSAGES: • One in four older women and one in five older men are affected by at-risk alcohol consumption. • There is a higher likelihood of at-risk alcohol consumption among older women who report a higher socioeconomic status.