Patterns of Alcohol Consumption in the PURE Poland Cohort Study and Their Relationship with Health Problems.

(1) Background: Alcohol is a leading risk factor of premature morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of alcohol consumption in the PURE Poland cohort study baseline. (2) Methods: A Polish cohort was enrolled in the baseline study in 2007-2010. The study group consisted of 2021 adult participants of urban and rural areas from the Lower Silesia voivodeship in Poland (747 men and 1274 women). (3) Results: In the overall study population, 67.3% were current drinkers, 10.3% were former drinkers, and 22.4% were abstainers. Current use of alcohol products was more prevalent in men (77.2%), people living in urban areas (73.0%), and people with a higher level of education (78.0%). The percentage of current drinkers decreased with increasing age (from 73.4% in 30- to 44-year-olds to 48.8% in participants aged 64 and more). The majority of participants (89.2%) declared a low level of alcohol intake. The chance of high level of intake of alcohol was four times higher in men than in women (OR 4.17; CI 1.64-10.6). The majority of participants (54.6%) declared most frequent consumption of low-alcohol drinks (beer, wine) and 21% declared most frequent consumption of spirits. Current drinkers had almost 1.5-fold higher odds of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) than never drinkers (OR 1.49, CI 1.03-2.17; OR 1.66, CI 1.27-2.18, respectively). Former drinkers had higher odds for hypertension and CVD than never drinkers (1.73, CI 1.05-2.85; OR 1.76, CI 1.22-2.53, respectively). (4) Conclusions: In our cohort study, we observed several socio-demographic factors differentiating the patterns of alcohol consumption. The preventive programs should focus predominantly on men, people aged <45 years, and those with a higher level of education.

Obesity and Chosen Non-Communicable Diseases in PURE Poland Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has been associated with a higher risk of morbidity, disability, and death. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of obesity and chosen non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the PURE Poland cohort study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study covers a group of 2035 people (1281 women and 754 men), who live in urban and rural areas of Lower Silesian voivodeship. The baseline study was conducted between 2007-2010. The data on demographic status and history of diseases were collected using questionnaires. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, blood lipids, and glucose level were measured. RESULTS: Normal body weight was observed in 28.1% of participants, whereas overweight and obesity were observed in 40.1% and 31.1% of participants, respectively. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the body weight between genders. Prevalence of obesity was similar in men and women (31.0% and 31.1%, respectively). Obesity was more prevalent in rural vs. urban residents (38.5% and 26.0%, respectively). In a logistic regression analysis, the odds for obesity was two-fold higher in participants aged >64 years and rural inhabitants (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.36-2.70; OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.48-2.16, respectively). Participants with obesity had 2.5-fold higher odds for diabetes and hypertension and two-fold higher odds for CHD in comparison with non-obese individuals (OR 2.74; 95% CI 2.01-3.73, OR 2.54; 95% CI 2.03-3.17, OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.26-2.80, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the prevalence of obesity was associated with particular socio-demographic factors (age, place of residence, and level of education) as well as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.