Citation

Midorikawa H, Tachikawa H, Aiba M, Arai T, Watanabe T, Tamiya N. Geriatr. Gerontol. Int. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Japan Geriatrics Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/ggi.13808

PMID

31696639

Abstract

AIM: This study aimed to clarify the association between high-risk drinking and health outcomes (e.g. physical and psychosocial factors, including help-seeking behavior) among older Japanese adults.

METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2013 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan, which surveyed 295 367 households. We restricted analyses to 55 147 current drinkers. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between alcohol consumption and various factors.

RESULTS: Overall, 35.3% of participants were in the low-risk group, 13.1% were in the at-risk group and 1.0% were in the high-risk group. Those in the at-risk and high-risk groups were more likely to be younger, male, employed and tobacco users. They were also more likely to report sleeping ≥9 h per night, and they were more likely to report unhealthy eating habits. Being in the high-risk drinking group was significantly associated with being divorced (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.11-2.05) and having poor mental health (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.13-1.68). The high-risk drinking group was more likely to include those who endorsed experiencing challenges without seeking aid (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.39-2.53) or felt no need to seek aid (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.15-1.68).

CONCLUSIONS: Being at high-risk for drinking is associated with poorer help-seeking behavior, suggesting a need for more aggressive outreach. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; ••: ••-••.

© 2019 Japan Geriatrics Society.

Language: en

Keywords

aged; alcohol drinking; binge drinking; help-seeking behavior; public health