The prospective relationship between binge drinking and physician visits among older adults.

TitleThe prospective relationship between binge drinking and physician visits among older adults.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsJenkins, KRahrig, Zucker, RA
JournalJ Aging Health
Volume22
Issue8
Pagination1099-113
Date Published2010 Dec
ISSN Number1552-6887
KeywordsAge Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Alcoholic Intoxication, Female, Health Resources, Health Services Accessibility, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Linear Models, Male, Michigan, Multivariate Analysis, Patient Satisfaction, Physicians, Prospective Studies, Psychometrics, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors, Self Report
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objectives are to (a) determine if binge drinking is related to physician visits and (b) estimate the degree to which the relationship between binge drinking and physician visits can be explained by other health characteristics.

METHOD: Data on a sample of 4,960 older adults (70+ years of age in 2002) from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used. Three linear regression models estimated the impact of binge drinking on physician visits.

RESULTS: In the fully adjusted models, binge drinking did have an effect on the number of physician visits by older adults, with more frequent binge drinkers having fewer physician visits. This negative relationship exists even when demographic as well as other current health characteristics are controlled.

DISCUSSION: The implications of these results are discussed in terms of more broadly communicating the risks associated with binge drinking and more effectively targeting interventions to older binge drinkers.
DOI10.1177/0898264310376539
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20693519?dopt=Abstract
Endnote Keywords

Drunkenness/Alcohol Abuse/Elderly/Health/Physicians/Sociodemographic/Socioeconomic Differences/Factors/Intervention/Retirement
Endnote ID

24420
Alternate JournalJ Aging Health
Citation Key7518
PubMed ID20693519
PubMed Central IDPMC4618665
Grant ListU01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
U01 AG09740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States