Binge drinking among female veterans affairs patients: Prevalence and associated risks

This study evaluated the prevalence and associated risks of binge drinking, defined as having greater than or equal to4 drinks on an occasion in the p ast year, in a female patient population. Of 1,259 female Veterans Affairs patients surveyed, 780 reported drinking alcohol in the past year, and 305 (24% of respondents, 39% of drinkers) reported binge drinking in the past y ear; 84 (11% of drinkers) had done so monthly or more often. Age-adjusted l ogistic regression analyses indicated that women who reported past-year bin ge drinking monthly or more often reported significantly increased odds of morning drinking (odds ratio [OR] = 40.3), others worrying about their drin king (OR = 38.6), arguments after drinking (OR = 13.5), hepatitis or cirrho sis (OR = 3.1), frequent injuries (OR = 2.6), smoking (OR = 3.7), drug use (OR = 22.2), and multiple sexual partners (OR = 4.6).