Drinking patterns and beverage preferences of liver cirrhosis patients in Mexico

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pattern of alcoholism in a special group of alcoholics (alcoholic cirrhotics) in a hospital-based pop ulation in west central Mexico and assess the role of regional spirits such as tequila. A complete alcohol drinking history and a structured questionn aire directed at investigating the pattern of alcohol consumption was appli ed to 124 adult patients with chronic liver disease caused by alcohol durin g January 1995 to January 1996. The mean age of onset was 27 +/-3 years in women and 18 +/-0.5 years in men . The mean alcohol intake per week was 749 +/- 192g for women and 1113 +/- 151 g for men. On average, patients consumed alcohol for a mean of 24.5 yea rs. The overall patient drinking preference was for tequila followed by 96 degrees Gay Lusac (G.L.), alcohol, and beer. In a subset of 70 patients thr ee phases of alcoholism could be identified (prealcoholic, critical, and ch ronic). Each phase had a mean duration of at least 11 years. Beer was the d ominant beverage in the prealcoholic phase while tequila was consumed more often in the other phases. In the critical phase of alcoholism an average o f 337 g of alcohol were consumed per week and in the chronic phase 1765 g/w eek. Tequila was the overall preferred beverage in this group of alcoholics . Other beverages included beer and straight alcohol with a clear trend fro m less to higher concentration of alcohol throughout the drinking history. Subtle gender differences in the patterns of alcoholism may be suspected. I n this group of patients the role of tequila drinking is highlighted.