PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF MODERATE ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AND RISK OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL-DISEASE IN US MALE PHYSICIANS

Background Moderate alcohol consumption decreases the risk of coronary heart disease, but its relation to peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is uncertain. Methods and Results In the Physicians' Health Study, a r andomized trial of the use of aspirin and beta-carotene in 22 071 appa rently healthy men, we documented 433 incident cases of PAD during 11 years of follow-up. After we controlled for age and treatment assignme nt, daily drinkers (greater than or equal to 7 drinks per week) had a relative risk (RR) of PAD of 0.92 (95% confidence interval, 0.72 to 1. 17) compared with the reference group (< 1 drink per week). After addi tional control for smoking, however, the RR was 0.68 (0.52 to 0.89). F urther control for exercise, diabetes mellitus, and parental history o f myocardial infarction revealed an RR of 0.74 (0.57 to 0.97). Conclus ions Moderate alcohol consumption appears to decrease the risk of PAD in apparently healthy men.