Original Article

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 817–822; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602799; published online 23 May 2007

Drinking pattern and mortality in Danish nurses

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.

L S Mørch1, D Johansen1, E Løkkegaard1, Y A Hundrup2 and M Grønbæk1

  1. 1Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark
  2. 2The Danish Nurse Cohort Study, National Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark

Correspondence: LS Mørch, Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health, Øster Farimagsgade 5 A, 2 sal, København K 1399, Denmark. E-mail: linamorch@yahoo.dk

Received 25 May 2006; Revised 4 April 2007; Accepted 18 April 2007; Published online 23 May 2007.

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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.

Keywords:

alcohol, weekend, weekday, women, survival

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