Associations between alcohol consumption trajectory and deaths due to cancer, cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality: a 30-year follow-up cohort study in Thailand

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association between alcohol consumption trajectory and deaths due to cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and all-cause mortality in Thailand. DESIGN: Data were obtained from a Thai prospective cohort study with more than 30 years of follow-up (n=1961). SETTING: All participants resided in Bangkok and its vicinity. PARTICIPANTS: Employees from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand aged between 35 and 54 years old were randomly selected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Exposure was alcohol consumption trajectory over the study period from 1985 to 2012. The main outcomes were all-cause mortality, and deaths due to cancer and CVDs recorded in national vital registries between 2002 and 2015. Cox’s proportional hazard regression was used to determine the associations between alcohol consumption trajectory and each outcome adjusting for sample characteristics, health behaviours and health conditions. RESULTS: From a total of 59 312 person years, 276 deaths were observed. Compared with drinkers who drank occasionally or most occasional over their lifetime, consistent regular or mostly consistent-regular drinkers had higher rates of all-cause mortality (HR: 1.53; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.16) and cancer mortality (HR: 2.05; 95% CI 1.13 to 3.74). The study did not find a significant association between trajectory of alcohol consumption and deaths due to CVDs. CONCLUSIONS: Regular drinking of alcohol increased risk for all-cause and cancer mortality. Effective interventions should be implemented to reduce number of regular drinkers in order to saves life of individuals.