Health behaviours and health-related quality of life among women and men with hazardous alcohol use: the Tromsø study (2015-2016)

Hazardous alcohol use poses a great public health burden. This study examined characteristics and group differences in the health behaviours physical activity, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol intake per gram, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL), among women and men with hazardous alcohol use. This cross-sectional study used data from 17 744 women and men (40–99 years) the Tromsø Study (2015–2016). Hazardous alcohol use was defined by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), with a cut-off score at ≥ 8. Physical activity was defined by Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS), fruit and vegetable intake by units, and alcohol intake by grams. HRQOL was defined by EQ‑5D‑5L. Data were analysed by Chi-Square Tests and analysis of covariance. The hazardous group had higher alcohol intake, slightly lower fruit and vegetable intake, and mixed physical activity patterns. There was a large difference in daily alcohol intake per grams between the groups. There were no significant differences between the groups HRQOL measured by EQ‑5D‑5L index. However, when testing the EQ‑5D‑5L dimensions separately the hazardous group had significantly lower Anxiety/depression, Self-care and Pain/discomfort score. Anxiety and depression were the HRQOL dimension with the largest group difference in the sample. These results indicate that apart from higher alcohol intake and slightly more anxiety and depression, the health behaviours and HRQOL among individuals with hazardous alcohol were broadly similar to those without hazardous alcohol use.