Table 1

Characteristics of the included studies (n=26) with measurements and included associations (n=132)

Article/study (author, reference, year)SampleDesignAlcohol measuresPresenteeism measuresIncluded association(s) (n, ID)
Adler et al,55 2011USA: military veterans (n=473).Cross-sectional.Binge drinking episodes past 3 months.WLQ.n=10 ((1–10)).
Airilia et al,80 2012Finland: fire fighters (n=403).Longitudinal.Drinking frequency.Work Ability Index, subdimensions.n=6 ([11–16]).
Fisher et al,61 2000USA: military personnel (n=5389).Cross-sectional.Drinking frequency and quantity during past year.Number of impaired work ability days during past year.n=7 ((17–23)).
Karlsson et al,64 2010Sweden: various occupations (n=341).Longitudinal.Weekly alcohol intake (grams).Prognosis of work ability, 6 months.n=2 ((24, 25)).
Kessler and Frank,66 1997USA: various occupations (n=4091).Cross-sectional.DSM-III-R  diagnosis (alcohol abuse/dependence).Number of work cutback days during past 30 days.n=2 ((26, 27)).
Kim et al,53 2013USA: patients with fibromyalgia in various occupations (n=946).Cross-sectional.Number of drinks per week.Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, item job ability.n=8 ((28–35)).
Kirkham et al,45 2015USA: computer manufacturer employees (n=17 089).Longitudinal.CAGE questionnaire, at risk versus not at risk.WLQ.n=3 ((36–38))
Odlaug et al,81 20168 European countries: patients with alcohol dependence, various occupations (n=2979).Cross-sectional.Drinking amount, past 12 months.WPAI, presenteeism item.n=1 ((39)).
Pensola et al,48 2016Finland: people with multisite pain, various occupations (n=3884).Cross-sectional.Hangover frequency, past 12 months.Current work ability (0–10).n=8 ((40–47)).
Richmond et al,57 2016USA: government employees (n=344).Quasiexperimental.AUDIT.Workplace Outcome Suite, presenteeism scale.n=1 ((48)).
Schou et al,63 2017Norway: various occupations (n=1407).Cross-sectional.Drinking frequency.Number of presenteeism episodes, past 12 months.n=1 ((49)).
Steegmann et al,82 1997China: cycle haulers (n=45).Cross-sectional.Alcohol intake/intensity (mL).Supervisor’s estimate of worker’s contribution.n=1 ((50)).
Tsuchiya et al,67 2012Japan: community workers (n=530).Cross-sectional.DSM-IV  diagnosis (alcohol abuse/dependence).WHO Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ).n=2 ((51, 52)).
van Scheppingen et al,83 2014Netherlands: dairy company employees (n=629).Cross-sectional.Weekly alcohol intake.Presenteeism frequency.n=1 ((53))
Yu et al,54 2015China: petrochemical corporation employees (n=1506).Cross-sectional.Current alcohol drinker (yes/no).Presenteeism during past 4 weeks (yes/no).n=2 ((54, 55)).
Friedman et al,50 1992USA: supermarket employees (n=860).Cross-sectional.DSM-III diagnosis alcohol abuse.Overall job performance (supervisor ratings).n=14 ((56–69)).
Boles et al,62 2004USA: employees in a large national employer (n=2264).Cross-sectional.CAGE questionnaire, at risk versus not at risk.WPAI; % presenteeism during past week.n=3 ((70–72)).
Blum et al,56 1993USA: employees, various occupations (n=136).Cross-sectional.Monthly frequency x typical quantity (past 30 days)Technical job performancen=12 ((73–84)).
Burton et al,84 2005USA: financial services employees (n=28 375).Cross-sectional.At-risk (>14/week) versus no-risk drinking.WLQ, short version.n=5 ((85–89)).
Lim et al,58 2000Australia: employees, various occupations (n=4579).Cross-sectional.DSM-IV diagnosis alcohol abuse.Number of work cutback days past month.n=2 ((90, 91)).
Lowmaster et al,59 2012USA: police officers (n=85).Cross-sectional.Personality Assessment Inventory, subscale Alcohol Problems Scale (ALC)Supervisor ratings of overall job performance.n=3 ((92–94))
Moore et al,51 2000USA: manufacturing company employees (n=2279).Cross-sectional.CAGE questionnaire, at risk versus not at risk.Time at work spent goofing off.n=13 ((95–107)).
Ames et al,21 1997USA: manufacturing plant employees (n=832).Longitudinal.Frequency drinking before/during work and hangovers past year.Frequency sleeping on the job and task/coworker problems past year.n=14 ((108–121)).
Furu et al,60 2018Finland: workers in solvent-exposed fields (n=1622).Cross-sectional.Excessive drinking (AUDIT-C, scores 7–12).Current work ability compared with lifetime best (0–10).n=2 ((122, 123)).
Aas et al,40 2017Norway: employees, various occupations (n=3278).Cross-sectional.Drinking frequency and binge drinking past year (AUDIT 1, 3).Quantity presenteeism during past 7 days (degree 0–10).n=4 ((124–127)).
van den Berg et al,52 2017The Netherlands: healthcare workers.Cross-sectional.Excessive alcohol intake (>10 drinks a week).Current work ability compared with lifetime best (0–10).n=5 ((128–132)).

  • AUDIT, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test; DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental disorders; WLQ, Work Limitations Questionnaire; WPAI, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire.