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Sex Differences in Older Adults with Risky Alcohol Consumption: Medication Use, Comorbidities, and Hepatic Biomarkers

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Alcohol consumption and medication use have increased among the elderly population, raising the risk of alcohol–drug interactions and adverse outcomes. Sex-related biological differences may further influence these effects. This study aimed to assess sex-related differences among older adults with risky alcohol consumption, con-sidering medication use, comorbidities, and hepatic biomarkers. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted in adults aged ≥65 years. A total of 455 participants with risky alcohol consumption were included. Sociodemographic and clini-cal characteristics, medication prescriptions, and blood analytical parameters were col-lected. Results: Of the participants, 41% were women, with a mean age of 71 years. The mean weekly alcohol consumption was 8.4 ± 8.3 standard drink units. Overall, 71.2% were taking at least one medication, with antihypertensives being the most commonly pre-scribed (62%). Significant sex differences were observed (p ≤ 0.01): men showed higher use of antidiabetic drugs (24%), anticoagulants (8%), and nitrates (4%), whereas women more frequently used anxiolytics (35%), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (22%), and anti-depressants (18%). Significant differences were also observed in hepatic biomarkers, with higher gamma-glutamyl transferase levels in men and a higher AST/ALT ratio in women (p ≤ 0.01). Although risky alcohol consumption was more prevalent among men, women had a higher overall medication use. Conclusions: A high proportion of older adults with risky alcohol consumption are exposed to concurrent pharmacological treatments, in-creasing the potential for clinically relevant alcohol–drug interactions. The observed sex differences in comorbidities, medication use, and hepatic biomarkers underscore the im-portance of incorporating a sex-based perspective in research and clinical practice.

Source: Nutrients

DOI: 10.3390/nu18142346