Introduction:

alcoholism in old people gives rise to a great interest due its implications in the health of this vulnerable group of population.

Objective:

to determine the behavior of alcoholism in old people at José Ramón López Tabrane Hospital in Matanzas province.

Methods:

an analytical case-control study was conducted at José Ramón López Tabrane Hospital in Matanzas province during 2012. The total of the target group included 88 old-aged men; dividing them into two groups (study and control), considering whether they were alcoholics or non-alcoholics. The application of Cage Test, surveys and the analysis of medical histories allowed obtaining the information that responded to the variables studied. Clinical criterion was respected

Results:

the age group from 60 to 69 years old predominated, at the same time as heart diseases and hypertension in the study group, and respiratory infections in the control group, being higher the percentage of old-aged men with hepatic cirrhosis, in the first groups. On the other hand, with the exception of polyneuritis, the remaining conditions associated with alcoholism showed higher percentages in the study group. Mortality rate in the control group was higher, as a consequence of respiratory infections, deaths due to hepatic cirrhosis, lung neoplasia and cerebral infarction showed higher percentages in the study group.

Conclusions:

in addition to the low percentage of alcoholic old-aged men, higher percentages of morbidity and mortality were reported in this group, identifying this disease as one of the pillars to be treated, in order to improve the quantity and the quality of life of this very vulnerable group.

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