Depression and Alcohol Drinking Behavior: Association and Sex Differences Among Brazilian Adults

PurposeTo evaluate the association of alcohol drinking behaviors with depression and sex differences among Brazilian adults.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingBrazilian National Health Survey of 2019.SubjectsPopulation-based sample of 88 531 Brazilian adults.MeasuresAlcohol drinking behaviors (heavy episodic drinking; alcohol-related impairment; alcohol-induced blackout), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), and socioeconomic information (sex; age; education; income; geographic region; partner/spouse).AnalysisLogistic regression models for the association between alcohol drinking behaviors and depression in the total population, stratified by sex and with interaction effect between depression and sex. Models were adjusted by socioeconomic variables.ResultsHeavy episodic drinking was reported by 40.5% and associated with depression in the total population (<i>Odds Ratio</i> - OR1.31; 95%CI 1.14-1.51) and among women (OR1.30; 95%CI 1.10-1.54). Alcohol-related impairment was reported by 4.6% and associated with depression in the total population (OR2.47; 95%CI 1.88-3.23), among men (OR3.24; 95%CI 2.24-4.68) and women (OR1.85; 95%CI 1.27-2.70). Alcohol-induced blackout was reported by 9.7% and associated with depression in the total population (OR2.27; 95%CI 1.88-2.76), among men (OR2.39; 95%CI 1.82-3.12) and women (OR2.18; 95%CI 1.67-2.85). Men presented higher chance of alcohol-related impairment associated with depression than women (OR1.77; 95% CI 1.04-3.02).ConclusionSex differences in alcohol drinking behaviors associated with depression were observed. These results emphasize the need for gender-specific approaches to tackle issues on mental health and alcohol consumption.