Alcohol-fueled hospital visits are spiking among middle-aged women, study says: ‘We simply just don’t know what’s causing this’

Alcohol-Related Health Complications Soar Among Middle-Aged Women During COVID-19 Pandemic

According to a new study, alcohol-related health complications significantly increased among middle-aged women during the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study emphasizes the need for increased attention to alcohol use disorder risk factors in this subset of the U.S. population.

Study Details

The study, published in the journal JAMA Health Forum, analyzed overall hospital visits for alcohol-related conditions from April 2020 to September 2021. Women ages 40–64 experienced the largest monthly increases for all conditions, including alcohol-related liver disease (ALD).

Lead Author and Research Objectives

Dr. Bryant Shuey, an assistant professor in the division of general internal medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, led the study. As an internist who treats patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), Dr. Shuey aimed to understand barriers to care for such patients and identify associations between increased alcohol use during the pandemic and alcohol-related harm.

Data Analysis

The researchers analyzed insurance claims data from over 14.6 million individuals aged 15 and older using Optum’s Clinformatics Data Mart database. The data included nearly 30 diagnoses related to alcohol abuse and dependence. The study found significant increases in alcohol-related conditions for patients in emergency departments, inpatient units, and observation units.

Key Findings

• ALD: 57%–66%
• Alcohol withdrawal or alcohol-related mood disorder: 29%–37%
• Alcohol-related cardiomyopathy: 3%–4%
• Alcohol-related gastritis with bleeding: 1%–2%

The study population showed increasing rates of alcohol-related conditions every month after the onset of the pandemic. However, statistically significant increases were observed for only four months. Patients aged 40–64 had nine months of statistically significant increases, with women in this age group experiencing the most pronounced increases.

Why is alcohol harm increasing among women?

The study suggests that skyrocketing alcohol use during the pandemic may have exacerbated ALD among women who already had the condition. It is also possible that the results reflect newly diagnosed cases. The stigma surrounding AUD and potential underreporting of drinking habits by patients may have contributed to underestimating the number of women with alcohol-related health conditions.

Additionally, the study’s database excluded uninsured or underinsured individuals and those who had different billing codes not included in the analysis.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This study aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The study highlights the need for attention to alcohol-related health complications and access to effective treatments.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The study emphasizes the narrowing gap between men and women in terms of alcohol-related harms.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The study addresses the disproportionate stress on women and the need for equitable access to care.

Future Research and Treatment Access

The research team’s next step is to explore the pandemic’s effect on access to AUD treatment, including medication and behavioral therapy. Currently, less than 10% of adults with AUD receive any treatment in a given year. Individuals struggling with alcohol use can seek help from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Alcohol Treatment Navigator or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate support.

Conclusion

This study highlights the alarming increase in alcohol-related health complications among middle-aged women during the COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasizes the need for increased attention to alcohol use disorder risk factors, access to effective treatments, and public health messaging. By addressing these issues, progress can be made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to health, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.

References:

• Study in JAMA Health Forum
• Fortune: Skyrocketing alcohol use during the pandemic
• Fortune: Stigma surrounding AUD
• Previous research on alcohol-related complications among women
• CDC: Deaths from excessive drinking
• Fortune: Normalization of alcohol use
• National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Alcohol treatment in the United States

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol use, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Alcohol Treatment Navigator can connect you to self-guided programs, telehealth treatment, mutual support groups, and health care professionals who are trained to help. If you need immediate support, contact the SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality

The article discusses the increase in alcohol-related health complications among middle-aged women during the COVID-19 pandemic. This issue is connected to SDG 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. It is also connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

The article highlights the need for attention to alcohol use disorder risk factors among middle-aged women. This aligns with Target 3.5 of SDG 3, which focuses on strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including harmful use of alcohol. Additionally, the article mentions the disproportionate stress on women, which relates to Target 5.1 of SDG 5, which aims to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator: Hospital visits for alcohol-related conditions
• Indicator: Diagnoses of alcohol-related health conditions
• Indicator: Rates of alcohol-related health conditions among women ages 40-64

The article mentions that overall hospital visits for alcohol-related conditions spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 3.5 of SDG 3. Additionally, the article provides statistics on the diagnoses of specific alcohol-related health conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease (ALD), alcohol withdrawal or alcohol-related mood disorder, alcohol-related cardiomyopathy, and alcohol-related gastritis with bleeding. These diagnoses can serve as indicators to measure progress towards Target 3.5 of SDG 3. The article also highlights the significant increases in rates of alcohol-related health conditions among women ages 40-64. These rates can be used as indicators to measure progress towards Target 5.1 of SDG 5.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Source: fortune.com

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