Alcoholism in older Korean men: prevalence,aetiology, and comorbidity with cognitive impairment and dementia in urban and rural communities

BACKGROUND: Alcoholism in the elderly has received little research, particularly outside 'Western' cultures. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and aetiology of alcoholism, and its comorbidity with cognitive impairment and dementia in an older Korean population. METHODS: 1134 urban and rural community residents aged 65 or over were surveyed in Kwangju, South Korea. Alcoholism was identified by a culturally validated screening scale. RESULTS: Alcoholism was present in 16% of men and 2% of women. In men (n = 457), alcoholism was positively associated with manual occupation and negatively with religions encouraging temperance. In the urban sample, alcoholism was associated with higher education and with dementia. In the rural sample, it was associated with lower education and less strongly with dementia. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of alcoholism was high in this population. Associated factors and urban/rural differences reflect traditional attitudes toward drinking.