Older patients who enjoy a hard drink may recover better after surgery than absentees, a study suggests.
People aged 60 and over who have consumed a “possibly unhealthy amount” of alcohol usually had a better quality of life.
Heavy drinkers reported significantly better mobility, self-care, and fewer problems undertaking daily activities after surgery compared to those who drank less or not at all.
Researcher Vera Guttenthaler, of University Hospital Bonn, in Germanysaid: ‘One explanation may be that higher alcohol consumption can lead to high mood, enhanced sociability and reduced stress.’
While the findings have been questioned by other scholars, the researchers said the topic is “exciting” and requires further research.
Researchers at University Hospital Bonn in Germany found that people who drank a “possibly unhealthy amount” of alcohol said their quality of life was better before and after surgery than those who drank little or nothing.
The NHS recommends that adults drink no more than 14 copies each week – that is, 14 single shots of a spirit or six pint of beer or a bottle and a half of wine.
Alcohol in small amounts can make drinkers feel more relaxed and less stressed, which may have contributed to a better quality of life for people, they said.
Some beverages, including red wine, also contain antioxidants that can improve long-term health by reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
But heavy drinking is incredibly dangerous, with studies suggesting that just a glass of wine or a pint of beer every night in middle age can make your brain age by two years.
Alcohol abuse is associated with several types of cancer, liver disease, pancreatitis, heart failure, and brain damage.
The NHS recommends that adults drink no more than 14 copies each week – that is, 14 single shots of a spirit or six pint of beer or a bottle and a half of wine.
In the latest study, doctors examined links between preoperative alcohol consumption and quality of life after surgery in 628 patients who went under the knife for at least an hour.
Participants completed a survey that recorded the frequency of their alcohol consumption, the amount of beverages consumed on each occasion, and occasions of heavy drinking.
They also filled out a questionnaire about their quality of life, including questions about mobility, pain, anxiety, and daily tasks such as washing, dressing, working, socializing, and leisure.
This was done before the operation and again 180 days after.
Before surgery, those who drank more reported better overall health, less pain or discomfort, and were more likely to perform self-care and had a better ability to perform routine activities compared to those who did not drink at all or only consumed low levels of surgery. alcohol.
After surgery, those who drank more reported significantly better mobility, self-care, and routine activities than patients with “low alcohol consumption.”
Ms Guttenthaler added: “Our study finds that older patients with potentially unhealthy alcohol consumption report that some aspects of their quality of life are better compared to those who abstain from alcohol or drink at very low levels.”
Researchers were responsible for differences in age, body mass index and education level but not for socioeconomic status, physical activity or comorbidities.
Co-author Dr Maria Wittmann acknowledged the limitations of the study, adding: ‘Only a trend in the relationship between alcohol consumption and quality of life could be assumed, but this is an exciting topic for further studies.’
Dr Tony Rao of King’s College London said non-drinkers in the study may have given up because they were in such poor health, while heavy drinkers consume more because they are fit enough to continue socializing.
He added: ‘This study does not bring home the clear scientific message that alcohol is a direct cause of better health.’
The results will be presented at the Euroanesthesia Congress in Milan.
Meanwhile, another study to be presented at the conference suggests that aromatherapy could reduce the use of a post-surgical pain-relieving medication.
The ongoing U.S. preparatory study suggests that the use of essential oils could reduce the use of opioids after surgery by half after hip replacement surgery.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh examined data on 25 participants given aromatherapy after surgery.
They found that overall opioid use in the first 48 hours after surgery was 50% lower among those receiving aromatherapy and their anxiety levels were lower.
DO YOU DRINK TOO MUCH ALCOHOL? THE 10 QUESTIONS THAT REVEAL YOUR RISK
One screening tool widely used by medical professionals is the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disease Identification Tests). Developed in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the 10-question test is considered the gold standard to help determine if someone has problems with alcohol abuse.
The test was reproduced here with permission from the WHO.
To complete it, answer each question and write down the answer score.
YOUR SCORE:
0-7: You are in the safe drinking range and have a low risk of alcohol-related problems.
More than 8: Indicate harmful or dangerous drinking.
8-15: Medium level of risk. Drinking at your current level risks developing problems with your health and life in general, such as work and relationships. Consider cutting down (see below for tips).
16-19: Higher risk of alcohol complications. Cutting back on your own can be difficult at this level, as you may be dependent, so you may need professional help from your doctor and / or counselor.
20 and more: Possible dependency. Your drinking is already causing you problems, and you may very well be addicted. You should definitely consider quitting gradually or at least reducing your drinking. You should seek professional help to determine the level of your addiction and the safest way to quit alcohol.
Severe addiction may require medically assisted withdrawal, or detox, in a hospital or specialty clinic. This is due to the likelihood of severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms in the first 48 hours requiring specialist treatment.
