Association between self-reported alcohol consumption and diastolic dysfunction: a cross-sectional study

Background and objectives While alcohol consumption is associated with common risk factors for diastolic dysfunction the independent impact of low levels of alcohol consumption on this condition in a community setting is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore this association in a representative population sample employing optimal echocardiographic techniques.Background and objectives While alcohol consumption is associated with common risk factors for diastolic dysfunction the independent impact of low levels of alcohol consumption on this condition in a community setting is still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore this association in a representative population sample employing optimal echocardiographic techniques.Design Cross-sectional observational study in community-based population.Settings, participants and methods Participants between 30 and 75 years of age were consecutively invited to a physical examination, interview, conventional echocardiography, including Tissue Velocity Imaging. Diastolic dysfunction was defined according to the European Society of Cardiology criteria, excluding subjects with ejection fraction <45%, self-reported history of heart failure or atrial fibrillation on ECG. Self-reported alcohol intake using a validated questionnaire was categorised as no intake, low and medium-high intake.Results In total, 500 men and 538 women (mean age 55.4 +/- 13) were successfully examined. Diastolic dysfunction was identified in 16% (79/500) of the men and 13% (58/538) of the women. The multivariable adjusted model revealed a strong and independent association between alcohol intake and diastolic dysfunction. In fact, using no alcohol intake as reference, diastolic dysfunction was independently associated with alcohol consumption in a dose-dependent fashion; low consumption, OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.3 to 4.0) and medium-high consumption OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.6 to 6.2), respectively.Conclusion There was a significant association between alcohol consumption and diastolic dysfunction starting already at low levels that was supported by a dose-dependent pattern. These results need confirmatory studies and are important in public health policies.