Sabia et al. correctly stated that "some participants may have underestimated their consumption". [1] In 1999, total alcohol consumption for the UK per capita for those aged 15 years and older was estimated at 10.3 liters reported plus about 1.7 liters unreported absolute alcohol. [2] Drinking 12 liters a year equals about 26g of alcohol per day per person. Using data in Table 1, [1] the median self-reported consumption is 10.6 g per day per person, which is less than half of the estimated consumption for the UK in 1999. However, the true average consumption of the study population may be different when taking the maximal consumed value for each category, as the calculated maximal consumption is still lower (22.5 g/day/person) than the UK average consumption. It is likely that the data are biased because heavy drinking was substantially underestimated. [3] The association between drinking habits and cognitive abilities at older age is a novel study and it is important to rigorously estimate the possible bias of the data.
1. Sabia S, Elbaz A, Britton A, et al. Alcohol consumption and cognitive decline in early old age. Neurology 2014;82:1-8.
2. The Institute of Alcohol Studies (2013) Alcohol consumption Factsheet. http://www.ias.org.uk/uploads/pdf/Consumption%20docs/Alcohol%20consumption%20factsheet%20August%202013.pdf[ias.org.uk]. Accessed January 18, 2014.
3. Northcotel J, Livingston M. Accuracy of Self-Reported Drinking: Observational Verification of 'Last Occasion' Drink Estimates of Young Adults. Alcohol and Alcoholism 2011; 46:709-713.
For disclosures, contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.
Sabia et al. correctly stated that "some participants may have underestimated their consumption". [1] In 1999, total alcohol consumption for the UK per capita for those aged 15 years and older was estimated at 10.3 liters reported plus about 1.7 liters unreported absolute alcohol. [2] Drinking 12 liters a year equals about 26g of alcohol per day per person. Using data in Table 1, [1] the median self-reported consumption is 10.6 g per day per person, which is less than half of the estimated consumption for the UK in 1999. However, the true average consumption of the study population may be different when taking the maximal consumed value for each category, as the calculated maximal consumption is still lower (22.5 g/day/person) than the UK average consumption. It is likely that the data are biased because heavy drinking was substantially underestimated. [3] The association between drinking habits and cognitive abilities at older age is a novel study and it is important to rigorously estimate the possible bias of the data.
1. Sabia S, Elbaz A, Britton A, et al. Alcohol consumption and cognitive decline in early old age. Neurology 2014;82:1-8.
2. The Institute of Alcohol Studies (2013) Alcohol consumption Factsheet. http://www.ias.org.uk/uploads/pdf/Consumption%20docs/Alcohol%20consumption%20factsheet%20August%202013.pdf[ias.org.uk]. Accessed January 18, 2014.
3. Northcotel J, Livingston M. Accuracy of Self-Reported Drinking: Observational Verification of 'Last Occasion' Drink Estimates of Young Adults. Alcohol and Alcoholism 2011; 46:709-713.
For disclosures, contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org.