Table 5.
Adjusted Mean Difference in 15-year Change in Cognitive Performance by Visit-4 Ethanol Intake Status for Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study White Participants, United States, 1987–2013
| Test and Drinking Status at Visit 4 | No. | Baseline Cognitive Score | 15-Year Decline a | Adjusted Mean Difference a,b , c | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) | Estimate | 95% CI | Estimate | 95% CI | % d | P for Difference e | ||
| Global factor score z score | 8,709 | 0.12 (0.72) | 0.072 | |||||
| Never drinking | 1,450 | −0.02 (0.70) | −0.84 | −1.07, −0.61 | 0 | Referent | 0 | |
| Low to moderate drinking | 4,247 | 0.25 (0.69) | −0.83 | −1.06, −0.59 | 0.01 | −0.04, 0.07 | −1 | |
| Heavy drinking | 629 | 0.23 (0.69) | −0.90 | −1.14, −0.65 | −0.06 | −0.15, 0.03 | 7 | |
| Former drinking | 2,383 | −0.05 (0.72) | −0.80 | −1.04, −0.57 | 0.04 | −0.02, 0.10 | −4 | |
| Delayed word recall z score | 8,706 | 0.06 (1.00) | 0.177 | |||||
| Never drinking | 1,450 | 0.01 (1.01) | −1.37 | −1.91, −0.83 | 0 | Referent | 0 | |
| Low to moderate drinking | 4,246 | 0.12 (0.98) | −1.36 | −1.89, −0.83 | 0.02 | −0.09, 0.13 | −1 | |
| Heavy drinking | 627 | 0.15 (1.01) | −1.53 | −2.08, −0.98 | −0.16 | −0.34, 0.03 | 11 | |
| Former drinking | 2,383 | −0.02 (1.03) | −1.38 | −1.91, −0.84 | 0.00 | −0.13, 0.12 | 0.4 | |
| Word fluency z score | 8,702 | 0.14 (0.95) | 0.323 | |||||
| Never drinking | 1,450 | −0.11 (0.90) | −0.43 | −0.74, −0.12 | 0 | Referent | 0 | |
| Low to moderate drinking | 4,245 | 0.27 (0.95) | −0.43 | −0.73, −0.13 | 0.00 | −0.07, 0.06 | 1 | |
| Heavy drinking | 628 | 0.36 (0.96) | −0.50 | −0.80, −0.20 | −0.07 | −0.17, 0.02 | 17 | |
| Former drinking | 2,379 | −0.01 (0.95) | −0.45 | −0.75, −0.15 | −0.03 | −0.09, 0.04 | 6 | |
| Digit symbol substitution z score | 8,691 | 0.17 (0.79) | 0.026 | |||||
| Never drinking | 1,447 | 0.03 (0.78) | −0.77 | −1.04, −0.50 | 0 | Referent | 0 | |
| Low to moderate drinking | 4,242 | 0.30 (0.77) | −0.81 | −1.07, −0.55 | −0.04 | −0.10, 0.02 | 5 | |
| Heavy drinking | 627 | 0.24 (0.75) | −0.87 | −1.15, −0.60 | −0.10 | −0.19, −0.02 | 13 | |
| Former drinking | 2,375 | −0.02 (0.80) | −0.77 | −1.04, −0.51 | 0.00 | −0.06, 0.06 | 0 | |
Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; SD, standard deviation.
a Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, age squared, sex, race-center, educational attainment, diet quality score, physical activity, smoking status, body mass-index, diabetes, history of stroke and the apolipoprotein E 
4 allele.
b Estimates were averages from 25 rounds of multiple imputation combined using Rubin’s rule and the variance of a function of the within and between completed data set variances.
c Difference modeled as the follow-up neurocognitive exam (visit 5; 2011–2013) z score minus study baseline (visit 4; 1996–1998) z score. Negative values correspond to greater decline compared with the referent (never drinker).
d Percent, positive values represent % greater decline relative to the referent group.
e P value for t test of equality of mean difference in 15-year change in cognitive performance across visit 4 ethanol intake.