Hazardous alcohol consumption is associated with an increased occurrence of falls among people with HIV in the PROSPER-HIV Study.

Objective: Falls are a significant public health concern, particularly among older adults and people with HIV (PWH). This study examines the association between alcohol consumption and falls in PWH.

Methods: The PROSPER-HIV study recruited PWH from four US sites. Participants were categorized based on Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption (AUDIT-C) scores: none, nonhazardous, and hazardous drinking. Data collection included demographics, medical history [i.e. comorbidities, treated hypertension, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)], alcohol consumption using AUDIT-C, daily alcohol recall in grams, and self-reported falls over the previous year. Physical performance was measured using the Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB). Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlation and Poisson regression models to estimate fall prevalence ratios, adjusting for confounders (SPPB, comorbidities, treated hypertension, and eGFR).

Results: The study included 315 PWH, aged 52 ± 12 years, with 78% male participants. Thirty-three percentage were classified as nondrinking, 50% nonhazardous, and 17% hazardous drinking. Poisson regression showed a significantly higher risk of falls [prevalence ratio: 2.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-4.03] and recurrent falls (prevalence ratio 3.54, 95% CI 1.21-10.3) among hazardous drinking compared with nonhazardous drinking, even after adjusting for confounders. The prevalence ratios for falls per daily intake in grams was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: There is a significant association between hazardous alcohol consumption and increased fall risk in PWH using AUDIT-C but not when accessing recall of alcohol consumption in grams.