Alcohol consumption and severity of angiographically determined coronary artery disease in Japanese men and women

The relation of alcohol consumption to the severity of coronary atheroscler osis was examined among 323 men and 220 women who underwent coronary arteri ography. Severity of coronary atherosclerosis was assessed by the number of vessels obstructed greater than or equal to 75% in diameter and Gensini's severity score. Alcohol consumption was divided into 5 categories in men (n ever, past. 1-24, 25-49, and greater than or equal to 50 mi per day) and 3 categories in women (never, past, and current). Among men, odds ratios of s evere stenosis (multiple-vessel disease or Gensini's score > 15) decreased substantially and significantly in all current drinking categories but with out dose-response effect. There was a weak, inverse association of current alcohol consumption with one-vessel disease. bur not with moderate stenosis in terms of Gensini's score (less than or equal to 15). Past drinkers show ed a fairly large, but statistically nonsignificant, decrease in the odds r atios of not only severe stenosis but also of moderate stenosis. Among wome n, current drinkers showed a small. statistically nonsignificant decrease i n the risk of severe stenosis in terms of Gensini's score. These associatio ns with alcohol use did not change after adjustment for known coronary risk factors. The present findings add to evidence that alcohol drinking confer s protection against coronary atherosclerosis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd. All rights reserved.