[Ecological correlation between consumption of alcoholic beverages and liver cirrhosis mortality in Mexico].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the correlation between alcohol consumption and mortality from liver cirrhosis in Mexico.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of the ecological correlation between the patterns of alcohol consumption determined by the National Addiction Survey in 1993 and mortality by liver cirrhosis, in the period between 1971-1993, in the eight regions in which the country was divided. To determine level of correlation, the Pearson and Spearman coefficients were calculated.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were only found with the prevalence of spirits and pulque drinkers; with beer drinkers the correlation was negative.

CONCLUSIONS

The correlation with pulque is interesting, since pulque consumption is considered to be low scale in some rural areas. The negative correlation with beer may indicate that beer drinking is nor a good indicator of alcoholism. Results, though limited to the possibilities of an ecological study, reveal the necessity of effective actions in the regions where spirits and pulque are consumed in excess.