The researchers were able to see that the link between alcohol abuse and chronically impaired respiratory function persisted even after taking into account smoking, gender, BMI, age and comorbidities.
"Our results show that risky alcohol use is linked to several respiratory symptoms, poorer quality of life and increased shortness of breath. It is an important signal to healthcare providers to also ask about alcohol habits when treating patients with lung diseases," says Max Olsson, Doctor of Medical Science at Lund University in a press release.
A total of 25,424 men and women aged 50–64 participated in the study, which was conducted based on the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation's major research initiative SCAPIS. The participants self-reported their alcohol habits and underwent lung examinations.
"People with chronically impaired lung function and risky alcohol use constitute a particularly vulnerable group," says Kristina Sparreljung, Secretary General of the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, in a press release.
