Alcohol consumption and the risk of major upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between current alcohol consumption and major upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Methods: In a case-control study in the United States, Sweden, and Hungary, 1004 incident cases with upper gastrointestinal bleeding without predisposing factors were compared with 2446 controls. Relative risks for categories of alcohol consumption (based on the number of drinks currently consumed/wk) were estimated using logistic regression; the potential confounding effects of cigarettes, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other factors were controlled simultaneously.

Results: Compared with drinkers of < one drink/wk, the relative risks among other current drinkers ranged from 0.8 for 1-6 drinks/wk to 6.3 for > or = 35 drinks; the trend was statistically significant (p < 0.001). A significantly increased relative risk was seen for the heaviest consumption category within various subgroups: gastric and duodenal hemorrhage; males and females; age < 60 yr and > or = 60 yr; and those who consumed beer, wine, liquor, or a combination of beverages.

Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that consumption of alcohol increases the risk of major gastric and duodenal bleeding in nonpredisposed individuals.