Rationale: Alcohol- and tobacco abuse have previously been associated. Little is known about differences in alcohol consumption (AC) between women with and without COPD and whether it is associated with educational level.
Aim: To describe AC and its relation to educational level in Danish women with and without COPD in a rural population.
Methods: A prospective follow-up study was conducted based on stratified sampling from the Danish Civil Registration System and National Health Service databases in 155 general practices. Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry testing was performed. COPD was defined as post-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in one second /Forced Vital Capacity <0.7. Using logistic regression, the association between AC and educational level was investigated.
Results: In total, 1626 women were included. Of those 122 had COPD. AC > 10 units/week was found in 8.4%/10.2% of women with/without COPD (p=0.75)
In women with/without COPD 49.5%/33% had only finished primary school(p<0.05) and 4.6%/5.3% had long education (> four years) (p<0.05). In regression analysis long education was associated with AC>10 units/week compared to low education (OR 2.9 (1.4-6.1))(p=0.004) in the overall population. In women without COPD, this association was also present (OR 2.8(1.3-6))(p<0.05).
In women with COPD long education was not associated with AC>10 units/week compared to low education (p=0.26)
Conclusion: No differences were seen in alcohol consumption between women with and without COPD. A significant difference was seen in educational level between the two groups and significantly higher alcohol consumption was seen in women with long education without COPD.