Comparison of Associations Between Alcohol Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome According to Three Definitions: The Swedish INTERGENE Study

Overview

Journal Metabol Open

Specialty Endocrinology

Date 2024 Jul 10

PMID 38983451

Authors

Alina Skultecka

Fredrik Nyberg

Lauren Lissner

Maria Rosvall

Dag S Thelle

Anna-Carin Olin

Kjell Toren

Lena Bjorck

Annika Rosengren

Kirsten Mehlig

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: While prevalence estimates differ by definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS), it is less clear how different definitions affect associations with alcohol consumption.

Methods: We included 3051 adults aged 25-77 from the baseline examination of the Swedish INTERGENE cohort (2001-2004). Using multiple logistic regression, we investigated cross-sectional associations between ethanol intake and MetS defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and the Joint Interim Statement (JIS). Alcohol exposure categories comprised abstinence, and low, medium, and high consumption defined via sex-specific tertiles of ethanol intake among current consumers. Covariates included sociodemographics, health, and lifestyle factors.

Results: MetS prevalence estimates varied between 13.9 % (ATP III) and 25.3 % (JIS), with higher prevalence in men than women. Adjusted for age and sex, medium-high alcohol consumption was associated with lower odds of MetS compared to low consumption, while no difference was observed for abstainers. Only the most specific (and thus severe) definition of MetS (ATP III) showed decreasing odds for ethanol intake when adjusted for all covariates.

Conclusion: Our study shows that alcohol-related associations differ by definition of MetS. The finding that individuals with the most stringently defined MetS may benefit from alcohol consumption calls for further well-controlled studies.

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