@article{ref1,
title="Patterns of alcohol consumption and risk of falls in older adults: a prospective cohort study",
journal="Osteoporosis international",
year="2017",
author="Ortolá, R. and García-Esquinas, E. and Galán, I. and Guallar-Castillón, P. and López-García, E. and Banegas, J. R. and Rodríguez-Artalejo, F.",
volume="28",
number="11",
pages="3143-3152",
abstract="Falls are a major health problem in older adults, but their relationship with alcohol consumption in this population remains unclear. In a cohort with 2170 older adults followed up for 3.3 years, both moderate drinking and the Mediterranean drinking pattern were associated with a lower risk of falls and injurious falls. <br><br>INTRODUCTION: This study aims to examine the association between certain patterns of alcohol consumption, including the Mediterranean drinking pattern (MDP), and the risk of falls in older adults. <br><br>METHODS: A prospective cohort with 2170 community-dwelling individuals aged ≥60 years was recruited in Spain in 2008-2010 and followed up through 2012. At baseline, participants reported alcohol consumption and, at the end of follow-up, their falls during the previous year. The MDP was defined as moderate alcohol consumption (threshold between moderate and heavy intake was 40 g/day for men and 24 g/day for women) with preference for wine and drinking only with meals. Analyses were conducted with negative binomial or logistic regression, as appropriate, and adjusted for the main confounders. <br><br>RESULTS: Compared with never drinkers, the number of falls was lower in moderate drinkers (incidence rate ratio (95% confidence interval), 0.79 (0.63-0.99)) and drinkers with MDP (0.73 (0.56-0.96)). Also, moderate drinkers and those with MDP showed a lower risk of ≥2 falls (odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 0.58 (0.38-0.88) and 0.56 (0.34-0.93), respectively) and of falls requiring medical care (0.67 (0.46-0.96) and 0.61 (0.39-0.96), respectively). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Both moderate drinking and the MDP were associated with a lower risk of falls and injurious falls in older adults. However, sound advice on alcohol consumption should balance risks and benefits.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0937-941X",
doi="10.1007/s00198-017-4157-2",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00198-017-4157-2"
}