Alcohol Consumption, Cardiovascular‐Related Conditions, and ALDH2*2 Ethnic Group Prevalence in Asian Americans. (22nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cook, Won Kim; Tam, Christina C.; Luczak, Susan E.; Kerr, William C.; Mulia, Nina; Lui, Camillia; Li, Libo
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 45:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 418
• Page End: 428
• Publication Date: 2021-01-22
• Subjects: Asian American Drinking -- Cardiovascular Disease -- Diabetes -- Hypertension -- High Cholesterol -- Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Gene (ALDH)2*2; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.14539
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Little is known about the relationships between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related chronic conditions in Asian Americans and how such risk relationships vary among their subgroups. We examine these relationships in Asian Americans and their moderation by ethnic prevalence of a variant the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene: ALDH2*2 . Methods: Multiple logistic regression modeling was performed using a nationally representative sample of Asian‐American adults aged 30 to 70 ( n = 1, 720) from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) Waves 2 (2004 to 2005) and 3 (2012 to 2013). Outcomes considered were diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, CVD, any of the 3 conditions (i.e., diabetes, high cholesterol, and CVD) documented to have a J‐shaped relationship with drinking (CVDRC3), and any of the CVD‐related conditions (ANYCVD). Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health insurance coverage, and other lifestyle risk factors (smoking and obesity/overweight) were adjusted. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results: Alcohol consumption level was positively associated only with hypertension in Asian males, with consuming 7 to 14 drinks per week associated with more than double the risk of lifetime abstinence. For females, alcohol consumption had a dose–response relationship with high cholesterol and CVDRC3. Membership in the higher ALDH2*2 ethnic group overall was associated with lower risk of CVD‐related conditions. However, compared to abstainers in lower ALDH2*2 group, females in the higher ALDH2*2 group who consumed more than 7 drinks per week had a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, CVDRC3, and ANYCVD. Conclusions: Asian Americans may have increased risk of CVD‐related conditions at relatively low alcohol consumption levels. Among Asian‐American females, in particular, any amount of drinking may increase risk for high cholesterol or any of the CVD‐related conditions previously documented to have a curvilinear relationship with drinking. These risks may be particularly elevated for those in ethnic groups with a high prevalence of ALDH2*2 . Abstract : This is the first study conducted in the United States that examined alcohol‐related susceptibility to cardiovascular‐related conditions associated with a variant aldehyde dehydrogenase gene allele, ALDH2*2 (commonly known as the 'flushing gene'). Asian women in ethnic groups with higher prevalence of ALDH2*2 who consumed more than 7 drinks weekly had higher risk for these conditions (including hypertension), compared with their counterparts in lower ALDH2*2 groups. Study findings suggest elevated risks for alcohol‐related pathologies associated with ALDH2*2 .