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Drinking pattern and mortality in Danish nurses

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 62, pages 817–822 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Background/Objective:

Moderate alcohol consumption has beneficial effects on survival. Sex differences, however, have been suggested implying less beneficial effect among women. We examined the impact of alcohol consumed on weekdays and at weekends, respectively, on risk of death among women.

Subjects and methods:

At baseline in 1993, a total of 17 772 female members of the Danish Nurse Association completed questionnaires on alcohol intake and other lifestyle factors. The influence of alcohol intake on risk of death was analyzed using Cox proportional hazard model.

Results:

Alcohol intake of 1–3 drinks per week was associated with the lowest risk of death. Intake above six drinks per weekend (Friday through Sunday) increased risk of death from all causes by 3% for each additional drink consumed per weekend (corresponding to an increased risk by 9% per drink per weekend day). Consumption of one or more drinks per weekday (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday) increased risk by 4% for each additional drink consumed per day.

Conclusions:

The results indicated an increasing risk of death for intake above six drinks per weekend and of one or more drinks per weekday.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Erik Bernhard Obel, MD, Dr MedSci for acquisition of data. The original data for the present study were collected and provided by The Danish Nurse Cohort Study, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen Denmark. www.niph.dk/ The Danish Nurse Cohort Study. This work was supported by Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark

    L S Mørch, D Johansen, E Løkkegaard & M Grønbæk

  2. The Danish Nurse Cohort Study, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Y A Hundrup

Authors
  1. L S Mørch
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  2. D Johansen
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  3. E Løkkegaard
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  4. Y A Hundrup
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  5. M Grønbæk
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to L S Mørch.

Additional information

Contributors: LSM, design of the study, analysis of data, interpretation of results, drafting the manuscript. DJ, interpretation of results. EL, revising the article for important intellectual content. YAH, acquisition of data. MG, design of the study and interpretation of results.

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Mørch, L., Johansen, D., Løkkegaard, E. et al. Drinking pattern and mortality in Danish nurses. Eur J Clin Nutr 62, 817–822 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602799

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