This month, we comment an article published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology by Yuan et al. which analyses the relationship between alcohol consumption and peripheral vascular disease (PAD).
The study is based on the fact that the association between alcohol consumption and peripheral vascular disease is not entirely conclusive.

Methodologically, authors conducted a systematic review of 9 observational studies that examined the association between alcohol consumption and PAD risk. Then they explored this association using data from the SIMPLER (Swedish Infrastructure for Medical Population-Based Life-Course and Environmental Research) and UK Biobank cohort studies. Finally,  a meta-analysis of identified studies from systematic review, SIMPLER, and the UK Biobank was performed ( 11 studies with 23578 PAD cases)

As conclusion and summary, authors found a U-shaped association between alcohol consumption and peripheral artery disease risk in the Swedish and British populations. 
In the meta-analysis, light-to-moderate consumption of alcohol was associated with a reduced risk of peripheral artery disease. 
The dose–response meta-analysis showed that the risk of peripheral artery disease became pronounced for alcohol consumption ≥10 drinkers/week.

The article includes a last paragraph in which authors resume clearly the results and the clinical and public health implications. Although the study observed an inverse association between moderate alcohol consumption and PAD risk, it is not recommended to initiate alcohol consumption for abstainers to achieve this moderate beneficial impact on PAD after weighing against its potential adverse impacts.
For individuals with alcohol consumption ≥10 drinks per week, it is highly recommended to reduce alcohol intake to lower the corresponding risk of PAD as well as other health adversities. In conclusion, a highly interesting article with clinical implications that reminds us the importance of insisting and promoting healthy lifestyle habits in our patients.