Emotional Impact of COVID-19 and Emotional Eating and the Risk of Alcohol Use Disorder in Peruvian Healthcare Students.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the association between the emotional impact of COVID-19 and emotional eating and the risk of alcohol use disorder among Peruvian health science students. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study in which an online questionnaire was administered to 456 health science interns from four cities in Peru. We used the COVID-19 Emotional Impact Profile questionnaire, Mindful Eating Questionnaire, and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Spearman's correlations were calculated and two multiple linear regression models were developed. RESULTS: 68.4% of the participants were emotional eaters and 8.6% reported low-risk levels of alcohol use disorder. Based on the results of the first model, the overall emotional impact of COVID-19, being overweight or obese, depression and anxiety levels, and living with only one parent were factors associated with emotional eating. The results of the second model showed that the level of depression, living with just one parent, living alone, sex, and number of months as an intern were factors associated with the risk of alcohol use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce emotional eating and the risk of alcohol use disorder among interns, universities should implement interventions aimed at reducing the emotional impact of COVID-19 and provide nutritional counseling.

Combined effect of alcohol consumption patterns and marital status on all-cause mortality among middle- and old-aged people: A longitudinal study from Korea.

PURPOSES: The association between alcohol consumption, health, and mortality is intricate, with marital status being a determinant of drinking behavior. This study investigated the combined effect of alcohol consumption patterns and marital status on mortality in middle-aged and older Korean individuals. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, conducted from 2006 to 2020. The study population comprised individuals who were consuming alcohol around the time of the basic survey and participated in the 1st wave 2006 study. We divided 3,823 drinkers older than 45 into four groups: "normal drinker and married (NM)," "normal drinker and unmarried (NUM)," "excessive drinker and married (EM)," and "excessive drinker and unmarried (EUM)." A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed for survival analysis. RESULTS: The median survival time of the EUM group was 11.9 years. After adjusting for the covariates, the mortality risk among the NUM, EM, and EUM was approximately 1.67 times, 1.33 times, and 3.10 times higher than that among the NM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Middle- and old-aged unmarried people with excessive drinking patterns constitute a high-risk group for mortality. Community healthcare providers should focus on characteristics that differ by age, considering family-related factors and assessing alcohol consumption patterns to reduce mortality. Among middle and old-aged people, support for unmarried and excessive drinkers should be strengthened, and consultation on visiting community-based clinics should be promoted to improve firmly established alcohol consumption patterns.

The relation between toxic substance consumption and the positive mental health of adolescents, a descriptive cross-sectional study.

This study aims to find out how adolescents' consumption of toxic substances such as tobacco and alcohol is influenced by the Positive Mental Health. A quantitative methodology with a cross-sectional design has been used to achieve the final conclusions. The intervention was carried out by applying the Positive Mental Health Questionnaire developed by Teresa Lluch to a group of adolescents from Don Juan Manuel High School in Guadalajara (Spain). Our results shows that the Positive Mental Health of adolescents have a great impact on the tobacco and alcohol consumption. The scientific literature consulted signs that people who do not consume substances tend to have better Positive Mental Health.

Diagnostic Impacts of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Genetic Variants on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Susceptibility.

Background/Aim: The role of alcohol consumption and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genotype in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development remains uncertain. Materials and Methods: We conducted genotyping of the ALDH2 rs671 single nucleotide polymorphism in 298 patients with HCC and 889 non-cancerous healthy controls. We assessed associations stratified by sex and alcohol consumption status. Results: Distribution of ALDH2 rs671 variant genotypes differed significantly between HCC patients and controls (ptrend=0.0311). Logistic regression analyses indicated that compared to the wild-type GG genotype, the heterozygous variant AG genotype and homozygous variant AA genotype conferred 1.22- and 1.77-fold increases in HCC risk (p=0.1794 and 0.0150, respectively). Allelic frequency analysis showed that the A allele was associated with a 1.29-fold increased HCC risk (p=0.0123). Additionally, AA genotype carriers had significantly higher HCC risk than GG genotype carriers among males (p=0.0145) and non-alcohol drinkers (p<0.001). Conclusion: HCC risk is influenced by ALDH2 genotype, with effects modified by sex and alcohol consumption. Particularly, individuals with the ALDH2 rs671 AA genotype should avoid alcohol consumption, especially males.

Alcohol habits and alcohol-related health conditions of self-defined lifetime abstainers and never binge drinkers.

BACKGROUND: Prior research has shown that using lifetime abstainers as the reference group to examine the association between alcohol use and health-related consequences has several disadvantages. The aim of the present study was to examine the consistency of self-reported lifetime abstention and never-binge drinking, respectively, using national, longitudinal data collected in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the prevalence of alcohol-related morbidity among lifetime abstainers was examined by linking survey data to alcohol-related morbidity data in a national patient register. METHODS: Data come from the Danish Health and Wellbeing Survey in 2019 and from a follow-up survey of the same individuals in 2020. A random sample of 14,000 individuals aged 15 years or older was drawn in mid-August 2019. Data were collected between September and December 2019. All those who were invited to the survey in 2019 and who were still alive and living in Denmark were invited to participate in a follow-up survey in 2020. Data in both waves were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Both questionnaires included the standard questions on alcohol consumption from the European Health Interview Survey model questionnaire. Information on alcohol-related morbidity was obtained from the Danish National Patient Register. RESULTS: In all, 5000 individuals completed the questionnaire in both waves. Approximately half (44.4%) of the individuals who declared that they were lifetime abstainers in 2020 (n = 252) had reported in 2019 to have drunk at some point in their life. Moreover, 39.7% contradicted earlier reported binge drinking. Furthermore, 2.4% of the respondents who defined themselves as lifetime abstainers in 2020 had earlier been diagnosed with an alcohol-related health condition. CONCLUSION: The present research reaffirms previous studies which have found self-reported lifetime abstainers to be unreliable as a consistent reference group. Additionally, the results indicated that a non-negligible proportion of lifetime abstainers had been diagnosed with an alcohol-related health condition.

Risk factors and incidence of oral tumors: Findings from a longitudinal population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated risk factors contributed to benign and malignant oral tumors using longitudinal cohort big data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included individuals aged ≥40 years who participated in the National Health Examination in South Korea between 2003 and 2004. National Health Insurance claims data after 16 years were used to determine the incidence of oral tumors and the related risk factors. Hazard ratios were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: A total of 5,992,671 participants were included. The incidence of oral cancer was significantly higher in men and increased with age, whereas that of benign tumors was unaffected by sex and decreased with age. Periodontal disease was associated with the incidence of oral cancer but not benign tumors. Soft tissue diseases were associated with both benign and malignant tumors. Various systemic diseases influence the development of oral tumors. Light alcohol consumption reduced the incidence of oral tumors, whereas heavy alcohol consumption increased the incidence of malignant tumors only. Smoking increased the incidence of benign but not malignant tumors. CONCLUSION: Recognized risk factors such as sex, age, comorbidities, and dental diseases were associated with oral tumors. Alcohol consumption and smoking were not significantly associated with malignant tumors.

Cross-Site Evaluation of Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Implementation Programs in Healthcare Systems Serving Individuals of Reproductive Age.

BACKGROUND: With US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding, from 2018 to 2022, 4 large healthcare systems (n = 53 health centers across 7 states) serving people of reproductive age trained staff and provided implementation support for alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI). This cross-site evaluation explores each healthcare system's implementation approach to implement SBI, reduce excessive alcohol use, and prevent prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. METHODS: The SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) Program Matrix framed the multilevel strategies to implement alcohol SBI programs from 2018 to 2022. Qualitative and quantitative data sources examined outcomes, guided by one logic model, through systems-level process data and provider-level performance metrics. Data analyses utilized frequencies and means for quantitative data and themes for qualitative data according to an established framework. RESULTS: Successful approaches within systems included using electronic health records, flexible implementation and workflow protocols, customized training and technical assistance programs, quality assurance feedback loops, and stakeholder buy-in. Centralized management structures were efficient in standardizing implementation across health centers. Decentralized management structures used tailored approaches, enhancing provider/staff SBI acceptance. Across systems, 1259 staff (eg, clinicians, medical assistants) were trained to provide alcohol SBI services and reported pre-post training increases in self-efficacy in performing brief intervention; skills in PAE counseling; and confidence in screening. Fifty-three (48 providing data) health centers implemented alcohol SBI, screening 106 826 patients over the study period with most of the 10 087 patients who screened positive for excessive alcohol use receiving a BI. CONCLUSIONS: Maximizing the use of technology, employing flexibility in program delivery, and institutionalizing processes and protocols improved workflow, efficiency, and program reach. Ongoing partnership and stakeholder communication identify areas for ongoing improvement, engagement, and best practices for sustainability around substance use screening, which are essential with increases in substance use since the pandemic.

If They'd Said You Should Only Drink Five Units I'd Have Listened: A Mixed Methods Study of Alcohol Consumption Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: As part of a wider study describing the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on lifestyle behaviours, this paper describes the impact of a breast cancer diagnosis on alcohol consumption and factors influencing consumption. METHODS: Cross-sectional online survey of 140 people (138 women) and interviews with 21 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 10 years. RESULTS: Of the 100 survey participants who drank alcohol 25% were drinking at increasing or higher risk levels and 17% strongly wanted to change their drinking behaviour. The habitual aspects of alcohol consumption were the strongest predictor of current alcohol consumption behaviours. Social norms and perceptions about conflicting information were substantial barriers to change. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer survivors need accurate information about the risks of alcohol consumption and guidelines in order to make informed decisions about making changes to their behaviour. Interventions to support breast cancer survivors to reduce alcohol consumption need to focus on the development of healthy habits and may benefit from a focus which includes partners and friends.

Relationship Between Fatalistic Cancer Beliefs and Risky Health Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: There is limited research on how fatalism influences risky health behaviors that are linked to higher cancer risks. This study investigates the relationship between risky health behaviors (tobacco smoking, electronic cigarette use, and heavy alcohol drinking) and fatalistic cancer beliefs while controlling for health care-related self-efficacy and sociodemographic and clinical factors among adults without a history of cancer. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the 2020 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5 Cycle 4. The study sample included noninstitutionalized adults (aged ≥18 years without a self-reported cancer history (n = 2464). The outcome variable was risky health behaviors comprised of tobacco smoking, electronic cigarette use, and heavy alcohol drinking. We combined these 3 risky behaviors into a binary variable (0, not having risky health behavior; 1, having ≥1 risky health behavior). The key independent variable was cancer fatalistic beliefs. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 50% of the sample were women, 64.7% of participants self-identified as non-Hispanic White, 16.4% as Hispanic, and 10.6% as non-Hispanic Black. About 43% of participants reported having at least one risky health behavior. While holding all other factors constant, each unit increase in cancer fatalism score was associated with 30.0% higher odds of increased risky health behaviors (odds ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.62, P = .021) among adults without a history of cancer. CONCLUSION: By understanding the relationship between cancer-related fatalistic beliefs and risky health behaviors, cancer prevention outreach programs can be personalized to suit the unique needs of specific individuals and communities.

An investigation into social determinants of health lifestyles of Canadians: a nationwide cross-sectional study on smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption.

BACKGROUND: Health lifestyles exert a substantial influence on the quality of everyday life, primarily affecting health maintenance and enhancement. While health-related practices during the COVID-19 pandemic may have positively altered the health lifestyles of Canadians to a certain degree, government reports indicate that issues related to health behaviors, such as cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption, continue to pose challenges to the health of Canadians. Social determinants of these health behaviors thus hold significant academic value in the formulation of policy guidelines. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to scrutinize the social determinants of health with respect to social factors that have may have impacts on the health-related behaviors of Canadians. We tested health behaviors including cigarette use, alcohol consumption, and participation in physical exercise, which are integral to the promotion and improvement of individual health. METHODS: To examine the social determinants of Canadians' health lifestyles, we utilized nationally representative data from the 2017-2018 Canadian Community Health Survey annual component. Our data analysis involved the bootstrapping method with two-level mixed-effect logistic regressions, ordered logistic regressions, and negative binomial regressions. Additionally, we conducted several robustness checks to confirm the validity of our findings. RESULTS: The findings show that demographic background, socioeconomic status, social connections, and physical and mental health conditions all play a role in Canadians' smoking, physical activity, and drinking behaviors. Noticeably, the association patterns linking to these social determinants vary across specific health lifestyles, shedding light on the complex nature of the social determinants that may influence young and middle-aged Canadians' health lifestyles. Moreover, in the context of Canada, the health-region level demographic, socioeconomic, and working conditions are significantly linked to residents' health lifestyles. CONCLUSIONS: Investigating the social determinants of health lifestyles is pivotal for policymakers, providing them with the necessary insights to create effective interventions that promote healthy behaviors among specific demographic groups. It is recommended that health education and interventions at the community level targeting smoking, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption be introduced. These interventions should be tailored to specific subgroups, considering their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, social networks, and health status. For instance, it is imperative to focus our attention on individuals with lower educational attainment and socioeconomic status, particularly in relation to their smoking habits and physical inactivity. Conversely, interventions aimed at addressing alcohol consumption should be targeted towards individuals of a higher socioeconomic status. This nuanced approach allows for a more effective and tailored intervention strategy.

Age- and sex-driven alterations in alcohol consumption patterns: Role of brain ethanol metabolism and the opioidergic system in the nucleus accumbens.

Alcohol consumption leads to significant neurochemical and neurobiological changes, contributing to the development of alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which exhibit sex- and age-dependent variations according to clinical data. However, preclinical studies often neglect these factors when investigating alcohol consumption patterns. In this study, we present data on male and female rats continuously exposed to a 20 % ethanol solution for one month. The animals were divided into two groups based on their age at the onset of drinking (8 and 12 weeks old). Interestingly, 12-week-old males consumed significantly less alcohol than both 12-week-old females and 8-week-old animals, indicating that alcohol consumption patterns vary with sex and age in our model. Additionally, to advance in the study of the neurobiological alterations induced by ethanol intake in the mesocorticolimbic system (MCLS) that may participate in its reinforcing properties and the maintenance of alcohol drinking behavior, we measured catalase activity-an enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism and related to ethanol reinforcement-in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of these animals. Furthermore, we measured the levels of mu (MOR), kappa (KOR), delta (DOR), and nociceptin (NOP) opioid receptors in the NAc, as the endogenous opioidergic system plays a pivotal role in regulating the MCLS and alcohol reinforcement. MOR levels were lower in high alcohol-consuming groups (8-week-old males and all females). Both DOR and NOP levels decreased with age, whereas KOR levels remained unchanged. Our findings suggest that the age at onset of alcohol consumption critically influences alcohol intake, particularly in males. Additionally, females consistently showed higher alcohol intake regardless of age, highlighting inherent sex-specific differences. The dynamic changes in catalase activity and opioid receptor expression suggest the involvement of these factors in modulating alcohol consumption.

Burden of disease and costs for the Unified Health System in Brazil due to diseases whose alcohol consumption is a necessary cause: an ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to quantify the health and economic impacts of alcohol consumption in Brazil for 2019. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological study using secondary data sources. METHODS: We calculated the disease burden using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study, which incorporated data from health surveys and hospital records. Costs were estimated based on direct expenses recorded in the Hospital and Outpatient Information System of the Unified Health System, with data by sex, age group, cause, and Federative Units. RESULTS: Alcohol consumption was a necessary cause for 30,355 deaths and approximately 1.69 million disability-adjusted life years in Brazil, representing 2.2% and 2.6% of the national totals, respectively. The impact was more pronounced among men, in the Northeast region and within the 40- to 64-year-old age group. The total costs attributed to these outcomes reached approximately Int$43.1 million, with hospital admissions accounting for 94.16% of these expenses. CONCLUSION: In 2019, alcohol consumption had a significant impact on both the health of Brazilians and the expenses of the health system. As a preventable risk factor, alcohol consumption necessitates effective intersectoral strategies to mitigate its burden.

Phosphatidylethanol is a promising tool for screening alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is one of the leading causes of preventable developmental disabilities. A lack of objective screening methods results in an under-recognition of the phenomenon. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a specific ethanol biomarker that reveals alcohol intake up to several weeks after alcohol use. So far, PEth has mostly been a tool for detecting moderate and heavy drinking. With lower PEth cut-offs, revealing even minor prenatal alcohol consumption is possible. We aimed to find out if a sensitive method for PEth analysis would give additional information about PAE and to assess the cut-off value for a positive alcohol result in prenatal screening. METHODS: The study was an observational study of 3000 anonymous blood samples collected from the Helsinki University Hospital Diagnostic Center between June and September 2023. The Finnish Red Cross Blood Service received the samples originally for blood group typing and antibody screening as part of the prenatal blood screening program. We developed a sensitive PEth 16:0/18:1 analysis method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) equipment after liquid-liquid extraction of PEth from whole blood. The lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/mL. RESULTS: PEth was ≥2 ng/mL in 5.2% of the cases, ≥8 ng/mL in 2.0%, and ≥20 ng/mL in 1.0%. The detection time of PEth can be several weeks, especially with low PEth concentrations and after heavy alcohol consumption. It remained unknown whether the positive PEth tests resulted from drinking deliberately during pregnancy or before pregnancy recognition. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest adding PEth 16:0/18:1 to a routine prenatal blood screening program with a cut-off of 2 ng/mL-and in positive cases, clinical evaluation and retesting in 2-4 weeks. In clinical settings, information on gestational week and alcohol consumption before pregnancy is relevant and needs to be considered when interpreting low PEth concentrations.

Alcohol use at midlife and in menopause: a narrative review.

Alcohol use disorder stands as a prevalent global issue, contributing to 140,000 annual deaths in the United States and causing numerous adverse health and socioeconomic outcomes. Despite being a natural physiological process, menopause often leads to troublesome symptoms that affect women's quality of life and exposes them to increased health risks. Our review delves into the intricate relationship between alcohol use disorder and the menopausal experience. We examine the impact of heightened alcohol consumption on the onset, severity, and burden of menopausal symptoms, particularly vasomotor symptoms. Additionally, we explore its effects on commonly experienced menopausal symptoms such as mood disturbances, sleep problems, and sexual dysfunction. Considering the chronic health conditions associated with both menopause and alcohol use disorder, our study also investigates the influence of alcohol use disorder on bone density. This is especially important due to the elevated risks and mortality linked to bone mineral density loss in menopausal women.

A Compound Containing Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Relieves the Effects of Alcohol Consumption and Hangover Symptoms in Healthy Men: An Open-Labeled Comparative Study.

This open-labeled and comparative study aimed to test the efficacy and safety of a fermented rice extract-based substance containing yeast-fermented powder having aldehyde dehydrogenase (KisLip®, Pico Entech, Republic of Korea) in healthy male individuals. Healthy male subjects (n = 20) consumed 90 g of alcohol at their first visit. At the second visit, participants consumed 90 g of alcohol or alcohol with a low dose of KISLip® (2000 mg, KL-L) and then 90 g of alcohol or alcohol with a high dose of KISLip® (3000 mg, KL-H) at the third visit. The efficacy of KISLip® depends on the mutational status of important genes related to alcohol metabolism, including alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1B), cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1 (5B) and CYP2E1 (6)), and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2). KISLip® significantly reduced the highest level (Cmax) of alcohol and overall levels of acetaldehyde compared to the alcohol-only group in a dose-dependent manner. These significant effects of KISLip® on alcohol metabolism were observed independent of mutations in the four genes. In addition, hangover symptoms were significantly decreased in the KISLip® treated groups. During the study, the participants did not show any adverse events after KISLip® intake. This clinical study suggested that supplementation of KISLip® had beneficial effects on alcohol metabolism and might ameliorate the severity of hangovers without any adverse events.

Changes in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 among first-year university students in Spain, considering the risk of problematic use - UniHcos project.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prevalence rates and self-reported changes in patterns of alcohol use among first-year university students in Spain, considering the risk of problematic alcohol use. A serial cross-sectional study based on the uniHcos project was carried out. Data from 10 518 first-year university students (73.3% female, mean age 19 (SD = 1.6)) collected between 2012 and 2022 were analysed. The evolution of the pooled prevalence rates during the time series was analysed and the risk of problematic alcohol consumption was assessed using the AUDIT. Also, self-reported changes in alcohol use patterns during the pandemic were assessed. According to the results, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of alcohol use in the past 30-days was reduced (76.3% in 2019 vs. 63.7% in COVID-19) increasing again in the New Normal period. Thus, a similar pattern in the practice of binge drinking was observed. Regarding the AUDIT score, 21.7% (95%CI 20.9, 22.6) of the students had harmful alcohol consumption, with a higher proportion among males. In the multivariable logistic models, a higher AUDIT score was significantly associated (p-value < 0.001) with being male and living with roommates. According to self-reported changes in consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher proportion of participants with harmful use reported an increase in alcohol consumption compared to those at low-risk (43% vs 19%). Finally, despite the overall reduction in drinking prevalence during COVID-19, changes were not equal for all students and depended on their previous level of problematic drinking, highlighting that this should be considered in the development of strategies against alcohol use in this population.

Sex Differences in Mouse Models of Voluntary Alcohol Drinking and Abstinence-Induced Negative Emotion.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a growing problem worldwide, causing an incredible burden on health and the economy. Though AUD impacts people of all backgrounds and demographics, increasing evidence has suggested robust sex differences in alcohol drinking patterns and AUD-induced negative emotionality or hyperkatifeia. Rates of problematic drinking have significantly risen among women, and women face more severe negative emotional consequences in abstinence such as increased risk of comorbidity with an anxiety or mood disorder and more severe symptoms of depression. As such, a bevy of preclinical literature using contingent methods of alcohol (ethanol) consumption has amassed in recent years to better understand sex as a biological variable in alcohol drinking and abstinence-induced negative emotionality. Mice are widely used to model alcohol drinking, as they are conducive to genetic manipulation strategies, and many strains will voluntarily consume alcohol. Sex-specific results from these mouse studies, however, have been inconsistent. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current knowledge on sex differences in AUD-related contingent ethanol drinking and abstinence-induced negative emotionality in mice. Various contingent mouse drinking models and negative emotional-based behavioral paradigms are introduced and subsequently discussed in the context of sex differences to show increasing indications of sex specificity in mouse preclinical studies of AUD. With this review, we hope to inform future research on potential sex differences in preclinical mouse models of AUD and provide mounting evidence supporting the need for more widespread inclusion of preclinical female subjects in future studies.

The Impact of Tobacco Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on the Development of Gastric Cancers.

Chronic infection of Helicobacter pylori is considered the principal cause of gastric cancers, but evidence has accumulated regarding the impact of tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on the development of gastric cancers. Several possible mechanisms, including the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, have been proposed for smoking-induced gastric carcinogenesis. On the other hand, local acetaldehyde exposure and ethanol-induced mucosal inflammation have been proposed as the mechanisms involved in the development of gastric cancers in heavy alcohol drinkers. In addition, genetic polymorphisms are also considered to play a pivotal role in smoking-related and alcohol-related gastric carcinogenesis. In this review, we will discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of gastric cancers in relation to tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption.

[Health effects of alcohol: untangling the truth from the false!] / Effets de l'alcool sur la santé : démêler le vrai du faux !

HEALTH EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL: UNTANGLING THE TRUTH FROM THE FALSE! Daily alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of death, even at low doses. However, it remains high in France, where a large proportion of the population consumes alcohol in excess of reasonable limits. The most recent data invalidate the idea that a low dose could reduce cardiovascular risk. Santé publique France recommended in 2017 not to exceed the dose of 100 g of pure alcohol per week and not to drink alcohol every day. Harmonizing taxes on different types of alcoholic beverages upwards and indicating on each container: "Do not exceed 10 glasses per week" would be two good public health measures.

"EFFETS DE L'ALCOOL SUR LA SANTÉ : DÉMÊLER LE VRAI DU FAUX ! La consommation quotidienne d'alcool est associée à un risque augmenté de décès, et ce même si la dose d'alcool est faible. Elle reste toutefois élevée en France où une bonne partie de la population a une consommation dépassant les limites d'une consommation raisonnable. Les données les plus récentes infirment l'idée qu'une faible dose pourrait réduire le risque cardiovasculaire. Santé publique France a recommandé en 2017 de ne pas dépasser la dose de 100 g d'alcool pur par semaine et de ne pas boire d'alcool tous les jours. Harmoniser par le haut les taxes sur les différents types de boissons alcoolisées et indiquer sur chaque contenant : « Ne pas dépasser 10 verres par semaine ¼ seraient deux bonnes mesures de santé publique."

Association of lifestyle modification with the development of cardiovascular disease in gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy: A nationwide population-based study.

BACKGROUND: While cancer patients are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the role of modifiable risk factors remains poorly understood. This study investigated whether lifestyle modifications affect CVD development in gastric cancer patients who undergo surgery. METHODS: Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery from 2010 to 2017 were identified. Lifestyle behaviours, surveyed within 2 years before and after surgery were analysed. Incident CVD, defined as a composite of myocardial infarction and stroke, was compared among subgroups of lifestyle behaviour changes. RESULTS: Among 22,211 gastrectomy patients, 628 (2.8%) developed CVD (5.68/1000 person-years). Persistent smokers (HR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.33-2.22) and new smokers (HR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.04-3.30) faced higher CVD risks than non-smokers, with an especially pronounced risk in persistent-smoking females (HR: 3.89, 95% CI: 1.20-12.62). Smoking cessation showed no significant risk difference compared to non-smokers (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.93-1.43). Female new drinkers had a higher CVD risk than non-drinking females (HR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.06-7.88), while men did not show such association. Changes in physical activity, when compared to physical inactivity, were not associated with CVD risk. CONCLUSION: Gastric cancer patients who smoked after surgery were more likely to develop CVD irrespective of their prior smoking status, with a notable vulnerability in persistent female smokers. Smoking cessation could potentially mitigate CVD risk to levels observed in non-smokers. Alcohol intake should be avoided following surgery, especially for female gastric cancer patients.