Post-Acute Coronary Syndrome Alcohol Abuse: Prospective Evaluation in the ERICO Study

Background

Some studies have indicated alcohol abuse as one of the contributors to thedevelopment of cardiovascular disease, particularly coronary heart disease.However, this relationship is controversial.

Objective

To investigate the relationship between post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) alcoholabuse in the Acute Coronary Syndrome Registry Strategy (ERICO Study).

Methods

146 participants from the ERICO Study answered structured questionnaires andunderwent laboratory evaluations at baseline, 30 days and 180 days after ACS. TheAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was applied to assess harmfulalcohol consumption in the 12 months preceding ACS (30 day-interview) and sixmonths after that.

Results

The frequencies of alcohol abuse were 24.7% and 21.1% in the 12 months precedingACS and six months after that, respectively. The most significant cardiovascularrisk factors associated with high-risk for alcohol abuse 30 days after the acuteevent were: male sex (88.9%), current smoking (52.8%) and hypertension (58.3%).Six months after the acute event, the most significant results were replicated inour logistic regression, for the association between alcohol abuse among youngerindividuals [35-44 year-old multivariate OR: 38.30 (95% CI: 1.44-1012.56)and 45-54 year-old multivariate OR: 10.10 (95% CI: 1.06-96.46)] and forsmokers [current smokers multivariate OR: 51.09 (95% CI: 3.49-748.01) andpast smokers multivariate OR: 40.29 (95% CI: 2.37-685.93)].

Conclusion

Individuals younger than 54 years and smokers showed a significant relation withharmful alcohol consumption, regardless of the ACS subtype.