Sample characteristics according to follow-up status
| Variable | Phase 2 followed | Phase 2 not followed | p Value |
| Age in years, mean (SD) | 56.1 (4.4) | 57.6 (4.5) | <0.001 |
| Log alcohol: ml/wk, mean (SD) | 4.28 (1.43) | 4.15 (1.52) | 0.03 |
| State anxiety, mean (SD) | 35.9 (8.9) | 37.4 (9.4) | <0.001 |
| Fluid intelligence, mean (SD) | 26.7 (10.7) | 22.5 (10.9) | <0.001 |
| Choice reaction time: msec, mean (SD) | 0.872 (0.22) | 0.931 (0.24) | <0.001 |
| NART, mean (SD) | 25.12 (12.0) | 21.13 (11.4) | <0.001 |
| MMSE, mean (SD) | 26.68 (2.5) | 26.1 (2.7) | <0.001 |
| CAMCOG, mean (SD) | 90.4 (7.2) | 88.4 (7.3) | <0.001 |
| Benzodiazepine used, % | 7.5 | 3.9 | <0.005 |
| Ischaemic Heart Disease free, % | 75 | 64 | <0.001 |
| Manual social class, % | 62 | 73 | <0.001 |
| Married, % | 90 | 85 | <0.001 |
| No educational qualification, % | 45 | 58 | <0.001 |
| Current smokers, % | 36 | 52 | <0.001 |
| Psychological distress present, % | 21 | 23 | NS |