Alcohol consumption in elderly people. What is the real magnitude of the problem?

Abstract

The harmful effects of alcohol consumption have been well studied in the general population, but in the group of people over 80 years of age there is not much information regarding its relevance. It is estimated than 30%-40% of this population consumes alcohol regularly and around 10% engage in high-risk consumption. Furthermore, potential interactions between this substance and commonly consumed drugs in this age group, like oral antidiabetics, anticoagulants and antibiotics, may pose a risk of serious complications. In this sense, the aim of the present work was to analyze the magnitude of alcohol consumption within people over 80 years of age and the impact it has on their health. A narrative review of the available literature on the topic was carried out, which showed that alcohol consumption in people over 80 years of age is common in our environment and is associated with multiple complications and the development of different pathologies. The correct quantification of alcohol consumption in very elderly people must be integrated into the daily clinical practice of Medicine in general and Internal Medicine in particular.

Keywords: Alcohol; Alcohol organic damage; Alcohol use disorder; Anciano; Daño orgánico por consumo de alcohol; Elderly; Trastorno por consumo de alcohol.