Association between Alcohol Consumption and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in a Healthy Population - Data of the STRATEGY Study (Stress, Atherosclerosis, and ECG Study) -

Birgit-Christiane Zyriax (1) , Katharina Lau (1) , Tilman Klähn (1) , Heiner Boeing (1) , Henry Völzke (1) , Eberhard Windler (1)

1 Endocrinology and Metabolism of Ageing

Objectives: Epidemiologic evidence suggests a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular events. However, studies assessing the association between alcohol intake and intima-media thickness (IMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis have provided inconsistent results. Aim of this analysis of the STRATEGY study was to investigate the relation of alcohol intake and intima-media thickness in a selectively healthy population. Design: In a cross-sectional study laboratory values, anthropometric data, nutrition habits and physical activity were assessed in 106 men and 107 women evenly distributed between 30 and 70 years. Carotid intima-media thickness was determined by B-mode ultrasonography according to the standardized protocol of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP). Results: In men, a significant positive correlation between daily alcohol consumption and intima-media thickness was observed (p <0.0001), whereas in women the positive correlation was not significant. The type of beverage consumed did not affect this finding. Mean intima-media thickness was significantly higher in men with an alcohol intake above the upper limit of 20 g/d compared to men with an alcohol intake <20 g/d (p<0.001). According to a stepwise linear regression model adjusted for age, conventional risk factors, nutrition, and physical activity, the intima-media thickness increases by 0.0253 mm per 21,4 g/d intake of alcohol per day in men (p<0.05). Conclusion: The STRATEGY study revealed a positive association between alcohol consumption and carotid intima-media thickness in healthy men aged 30-70 years. This relationship remained significant after adjustment for nutrition, physical activity, anthropometry, and conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Key words: alcohol, intima-media-thickness (IMT), risk factors, lifestyle, nutrition

Mots clés: alcohol; intima-media-thickness (IMT); risk factors; lifestyle; nutrition

Birgit-Christiane Zyriax, Katharina Lau, Tilman Klähn, Heiner Boeing, Henry Völzke, et al.. Association between Alcohol Consumption and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in a Healthy Population - Data of the STRATEGY Study (Stress, Atherosclerosis, and ECG Study) -. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010, ⟨10.1038/ejcn.2010.144⟩. ⟨hal-00560305⟩