Alcohol Intake and Binge Drinking and Their Association With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Emphysema, and Chronic Bronchitis: A Retrospective Study Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Database

Background and objective While alcohol intake and binge drinking have been associated with various types of cancers, their relationship with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unclear. Understanding this association is crucial to identifying potential behavioral or biological factors influencing COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis risk. This study aimed to evaluate the association between binge drinking and COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, and assess the odds of developing COPD in participants with binge drinking based on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Methodology This retrospective study utilized the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) database. The disease variables were self-reported chronic COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, and the risk factor was binge drinking (Yes/No). Control variables included demographic (age, gender, race) and socioeconomic characteristics (education, annual income). Data were analyzed using cross-tabulations, chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact tests, with results expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Participants with a history of binge drinking had a 37.4% lower likelihood of developing COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis (OR: 0.626, 95% CI: 0.602-0.65). There was also a statistically significant lower likelihood in the 25-44 years age group (13.3% lower likelihood, OR: 0.867, 95% CI: 0.789-0.952). Female participants showed a greater reduction (38.6% lower likelihood, OR: 0.614, 95% CI: 0.579-0.65) when compared to male participants (32.6% lower likelihood, OR: 0.674, 95% CI: 0.64-0.71). Racial disparities indicated that white, non-Hispanic participants had the most significant reduction in COPD risk (40.1% lower likelihood, OR: 0.599, 95% CI: 0.573-0.625). Socioeconomic factors revealed that participants with advanced education had a 40.5% lower likelihood (OR: 0.595, 95% CI: 0.565-0.626), while participants with lower (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.662-0.74) and higher annual incomes (OR: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.656-0.746) both had a 30% lower likelihood. Conclusions Based on our findings, binge drinking is inversely associated with COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis risk across demographic and socioeconomic groups. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm this association and explore the underlying mechanisms.