Prevalence and patterns of alcohol consumption among persons with dementia in Canada

Abstract

Aim: To identify the prevalence of alcohol consumption and its impact on chronic disease, injury and hospital stays in persons with dementia (PWD). Methods: Multivariate analysis was conducted using data collected from a nationwide population-based survey, Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Results: PWD consume alcohol at comparable rates to persons without dementia. A reported 60% of PWD consume alcohol. Males more often reported alcohol consumption than females. Multivariate analysis showed PWD who consumed alcohol were less likely to report chronic conditions such as heart disease (22% vs 30%) and diabetes (13% vs 24%) than their counterparts who abstained from consumption. Conclusions: Lower rates of injury, hospital stays, and various chronic diseases demonstrates the importance of assessing alcohol consumption in PWD. A better understanding of drinking habits in PWD would allow for the development of recommendations and guidelines to alcohol consumption.