Quantity and patterns of drinking and their relation to morbidity and mortality

Abstract

Objective: Estimation of alcohol-related disease impairment. Methods: Literature analysis, statistical modeling. Results: Alcohol consumption has an impact on more than 60 different ICD disease categories. Both, average volume of consumption and patterns of drinking affect these diseases. Conceptually, patterns of drinking can be seen as moderating the relationship between average volume of consumption and outcomes in cardio-vascular disease, accidents and injuries. Worldwide in the year 2000, 3.2% of the total mortality and 4.0% of the total disease-related impairments (as measured in DALYs) could be attributed to alcohol. Conclusions: Alcohol-policy prevention measures should take into acc..