This is another of a long line of these studies. The effects they get from this type of epidemiology is entirely an artifact of the inclusion/exclusion criteria.
In this case they say they controlled for formerly heavy drinkers who now abstain. Without reading the paper in detail we don’t know if they controlled for socio-economic status etc. For example that group may include a group of former polydrug users who were insecurely housed. Assigning that group to “heavy drinkers now abstaining” will tilt the results. There are chronic health conditions that arise from that lifestyle independent of alcohol use.
Epidemiology needs to be treated with kid gloves and I find this kind of advocacy unhelpful.
This is another of a long line of these studies. The effects they get from this type of epidemiology is entirely an artifact of the inclusion/exclusion criteria.
In this case they say they controlled for formerly heavy drinkers who now abstain. Without reading the paper in detail we don’t know if they controlled for socio-economic status etc. For example that group may include a group of former polydrug users who were insecurely housed. Assigning that group to “heavy drinkers now abstaining” will tilt the results. There are chronic health conditions that arise from that lifestyle independent of alcohol use.
Epidemiology needs to be treated with kid gloves and I find this kind of advocacy unhelpful.