[Alcohol consumption habits in a population of 40- to 59-year-old men and its prognostic value in relation to mortality].

Alcohol consumption practice was studied by a method of interview in an unorganized male population aged 40 to 59 investigated by a program of multifactorial CHD prevention. The frequency of spreading of this habit and its intensity were determined. The frequency of alcohol consumption was decreased with age and was associated with the examinees' educational level. Persons consuming alcohol more frequently had raised arterial hypertension and smoked. These factors increased the risk of CHD development which was confirmed by a 5-year prospective study of mortality. Alcohol abusers were characterized by higher rates of general mortality, including that from cardiovascular diseases, traumas and accidents, in particular, alcoholic intoxication.