Alcohol consumption and high-molecular-weight adiponectin levels are interactively associated with all-cause mortality among community-dwelling persons

Background

Decreased levels of high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin are associated with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. This relationship may be further confounded by alcohol consumption, which plays a role in the development of liver dysfunction. In Japan, few studies have investigated the relationship between HMW adiponectin levels and alcohol consumption with mortality.

Methods

The study included 845 male participants (mean age, 61 ± 13 years; range, 20–89 years) and 1065 female participants (mean age, 63 ± 11 years; range, 22–88 years). Of the participants, 809 (42.4%) were classified as nondrinkers, 561 (29.4%) as occasional drinkers, 346 (18.1%) as daily light drinkers, and 194 (10.2%) as daily heavy drinkers. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality, adjusting for various confounders, including HMW adiponectin levels.

Results

Individuals who abstained from alcohol consumption (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00–1.52) or engaged in daily heavy drinking (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.04–1.86) exhibited significantly higher overall mortality than occasional drinkers. Additionally, those with the 3rd standard deviation (SD) level of HMW adiponectin (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.07–1.80) and 4th SD level (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.23–2.23) had a similarly increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with the lowest levels. After adjusting for confounders, the HR for individuals with the 3rd + 4th SD levels of HMW adiponectin was significantly elevated in nondrinkers (HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.09–3.29), occasional drinkers (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.05–3.21), and daily heavy drinkers (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.05–3.44), but not in daily light drinkers. The interaction between alcohol consumption and HMW adiponectin levels was significantly associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that alcohol consumption and elevated HMW adiponectin levels are interactively associated with all-cause mortality in community-dwelling individuals.