Alcohol Consumption, Cardiovascular‐Related Conditions, and ALDH2*2 Ethnic Group Prevalence in Asian Americans

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Abstract
Background Little is known about the relationships between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related chronic conditions in Asian Americans and how such risk relationships vary among their subgroups. We examine these relationships in Asian Americans and their moderation by ethnic prevalence of the variant aldehyde dehydrogenase gene ALDH2*2. Methods Multiple logistic regression modeling was performed using a nationally‐representative Asian American adults ages 30‐70 (n=1,720) from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) Waves 2 (2004‐2005) and 3 (2012‐2013). Outcomes considered were diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, CVD, any of the three conditions (i.e., diabetes, high cholesterol, and CVD) documented to have a J‐shaped relationship with drinking (CVDRC3) and any of the CVD‐related conditions (ANYCVD). Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health insurance coverage, and other lifestyle risk factors (smoking and obesity/overweight) were adjusted. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results Alcohol consumption level was positively associated only with hypertension in Asian males, with having 7‐14 drinks per week associated with over twice as high risk as lifetime abstinence. For females, alcohol consumption had a dose‐response relationship with high cholesterol and CVDRC3. Membership in the higher ALDH2*2 ethnic group overall was associated with lower risk for CVD‐related conditions. However, compared to abstainers in lower ALDH2*2 group, females in higher ALDH2*2 group who consumed more than 7 drinks per week had a higher risk for diabetes, hypertension, CVDRC3, and ANYCVD. Conclusions Asian Americans may have increased risk for CVD‐related conditions at relatively low alcohol consumption levels. Asian American females, in particular, may have risk associated with any amount of drinking for high cholesterol or any of the CVD‐related conditions previously documented to have a curvilinear relationship with drinking. These risks may be particularly elevated for those in ethnic groups with high prevalence of ALDH2*2.
Funding Information
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R21 AA026654)

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