Alcohol Consumption and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review
Author Information
Author(s): Chen Lina, Davey Smith George, Harbord Roger M, Lewis Sarah J
Primary Institution: University of Bristol
Hypothesis
The ALDH2 polymorphism may influence the risk of hypertension by affecting alcohol drinking behavior.
Conclusion
These findings support the hypothesis that alcohol intake has a marked effect on blood pressure and the risk of hypertension.
Supporting Evidence
- Men with the *1*1 genotype were 2.42 times more likely to have hypertension than those with the *2*2 genotype.
- Systolic blood pressure was 7.44 mmHg higher among *1*1 homozygotes than among *2*2 homozygotes.
- The study used a Mendelian randomization approach to avoid confounding factors.
Takeaway
Drinking alcohol can raise your blood pressure, and some people are more affected by it than others because of their genes.
Methodology
Fixed effect meta-analyses of the ALDH2 genotype with blood pressure and hypertension using studies identified via systematic review.
Potential Biases
There is a risk of publication bias affecting the results.
Limitations
The study may be influenced by small-study effects and potential confounding factors.
Participant Demographics
The majority of participants were Japanese males.
Statistical Information
P-Value
4.8 × 10−6
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.66–3.55
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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