The association of metabolic syndrome with alcohol consumption among urban Chinese.

Background: Along with economic improvement, China is experiencing increasing rates of non-communicable disease and a rise in alcohol consumption. While a modest intake of red wine has been shown to be health enhancing, the pathophysiology associated with excessive alcohol consumption is being increasingly recognized. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the health consequences of alcohol consumption among middle-aged urban Chinese people.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 793 subjects aged 44, 48 or 52 years, from urban community health centres and a local hospital, who participated in a survey, anthropometrics and blood chemistry. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios (OR) between alcohol intake and medical history of diabetes and hypertension, metabolic syndrome and its five component variables.

Results: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was detected in 53.5% and 42.8% of men and women, respectively, (p < .05), and regular alcohol consumption was found among 72.5% and 12.4% of men and women (p < .00). A weak association was found between consuming alcohol ≥ 2 times a week (or having quit) and MetS (OR = 1.7, 1.0, 2.9) and elevated blood pressure (OR = 1.8, 1.0, 3.1).

Conclusion: Alcohol consumption is an under-appreciated risk factor found in association with increased rates of metabolic syndrome and associated non-communicable diseases among urban residents in China.