Jürgen Rehm1, Shalini Kailasapillai, Elisabeth Larsen, Maximilien X Rehm, Andriy V Samokhvalov, Kevin D Shield, Michael Roerecke, Dirk W Lachenmeier. 1. Social and Epidemiological Research (SER) Department, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto (UofT), Toronto, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, UofT, Toronto, Canada; Dept. of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, UofT, Toronto, Canada; PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health & Addiction, Toronto, Canada; Epidemiological Research Unit, Technische Universität Dresden, Klinische Psychologie & Psychotherapie, Dresden, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Unrecorded alcohol constitutes about 30% of all alcohol consumed globally. The aims of this systematic review were to determine the epidemiology (occurrence, types, prevalence) of unrecorded alcohol consumption in different countries/regions, analyse the chemical composition of unrecorded alcohol and examine health outcomes caused by the consumption of unrecorded alcohol, based on either epidemiology or toxicology. METHODS: A systematic search for, and qualitative analysis of, papers with empirical results on the different categories of unrecorded alcohol, based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Unrecorded alcohol was widespread in all regions of the world. Artisanal fermented beverages and spirits were the most common categories of unrecorded alcohol globally, and were available on all continents. In India, industrially produced spirits (country spirits) were most prevalent. In Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union, surrogate alcohols complemented artisanal spirits. Cross-border shopping was the most prevalent method of obtaining unrecorded alcohol in parts of Europe. Ethanol was the most harmful ingredient of unrecorded alcohol, and health consequences due to other ingredients found in unrecorded alcohol were scarce. However, as unrecorded alcohol is usually the least expensive form of alcohol available in many countries, it may contribute to higher rates of chronic and irregular heavy drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Very large amounts of alcohol are produced globally that go unrecorded. The primary harm from this kind of alcohol arises from the fact that it is typically much cheaper than licit alcohol.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Unrecorded alcohol constitutes about 30% of all alcohol consumed globally. The aims of this systematic review were to determine the epidemiology (occurrence, types, prevalence) of unrecorded alcohol consumption in different countries/regions, analyse the chemical composition of unrecorded alcohol and examine health outcomes caused by the consumption of unrecorded alcohol, based on either epidemiology or toxicology. METHODS: A systematic search for, and qualitative analysis of, papers with empirical results on the different categories of unrecorded alcohol, based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Unrecorded alcohol was widespread in all regions of the world. Artisanal fermented beverages and spirits were the most common categories of unrecorded alcohol globally, and were available on all continents. In India, industrially produced spirits (country spirits) were most prevalent. In Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union, surrogate alcohols complemented artisanal spirits. Cross-border shopping was the most prevalent method of obtaining unrecorded alcohol in parts of Europe. Ethanol was the most harmful ingredient of unrecorded alcohol, and health consequences due to other ingredients found in unrecorded alcohol were scarce. However, as unrecorded alcohol is usually the least expensive form of alcohol available in many countries, it may contribute to higher rates of chronic and irregular heavy drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Very large amounts of alcohol are produced globally that go unrecorded. The primary harm from this kind of alcohol arises from the fact that it is typically much cheaper than licit alcohol.
Authors: Priscilla Martinez; William C Kerr; Meenakshi S Subbaraman; Sarah C M Roberts Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2019-02-11 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Pol Rovira; Carolin Kilian; Maria Neufeld; Harriet Rumgay; Isabelle Soerjomataram; Carina Ferreira-Borges; Kevin D Shield; Bundit Sornpaisarn; Jürgen Rehm Journal: Eur Addict Res Date: 2020-12-03 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Majid Ezzati; Ziad Obermeyer; Ioanna Tzoulaki; Bongani M Mayosi; Paul Elliott; David A Leon Journal: Nat Rev Cardiol Date: 2015-06-16 Impact factor: 32.419