Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis on the Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Sickness Absence

Aims: Alcohol consumption (AC) may cause workplace absence, but the findings of individual studies vary markedly. To date, no dose-response meta-analysis (DRMA) of the relationship between AC and sickness absence (SA) has been completed. This paper aims to estimate the doseresponse relationship between AC and the risk of SA based on published observational studies. Methods: We used DRMA and modelling to investigate the effects of varying doses of AC (including heavy episodic drinking (HED)) on SA. Results: The meta-analysis included 21 studies (12 cohort studies and 9 cross-sectional). It showed that HED, risky (20-40 g of alcohol/day) and high-risk (>40 g of alcohol/day) drinkers had an elevated risk of SA when compared with light-to-moderate drinkers for both sexes. Those who abstained from alcohol had a higher risk of SA than those who drink moderately. Conclusions: Our results indicate that risky, high-risk drinking and HED may increase the risk of absenteeism. The implementation of population-based strategies may be appropriate to address the burdens of alcohol-related SA. Additionally, economic evaluations of alcohol policies should incorporate their impacts on SA. However, the current literature has substantial limitations, relying on modestly designed studies from just a few settings and more studies are needed-especially those that measure abstention in more nuanced ways.

Automated summary

The meta-analysis found that heavy episodic drinking, risky drinking, and high-risk drinking were associated with increased sickness absence risk compared to light-to-moderate drinkers. Non-drinkers had a higher risk of sickness absence than moderate drinkers. Future studies are needed to further investigate the impact of alcohol consumption on absenteeism.