Recent research conducted by the Mayo Clinic has uncovered that individuals experiencing social isolation exhibit signs of accelerated biological ageing and face a higher likelihood of mortality from various causes. Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Advances, the study underscores the vital role of social connections in maintaining physical health and extending life expectancy. It advocates for including social integration as a crucial element among the social determinants of health.
The study embarked on an exploration of the impact of social engagement on the biological ageing process by analyzing the relationship between the Social Network Index and the age disparities predicted by AI-enabled electrocardiograms (AI-ECGs) among over 280,000 adults who sought outpatient care from June 2019 to March 2022. To qualify, participants must complete a health determinants questionnaire and possess AI-ECG records that were not part of the study, dated within a year.
Utilizing an AI-ECG model formulated at the Mayo Clinic, researchers estimated the biological ages of participants and compared these to their chronological ages. The AI-ECG’s age prediction indicates the heart’s biological condition: a higher age gap signals faster ageing, and a lower one suggests a deceleration in the ageing process.
The assessment of social isolation was conducted through the Social Network Index, which incorporates six questions covering various aspects of social interaction, such as involvement in social groups, frequency of social activities, communication habits, religious service attendance, in-person gatherings, and relationship or cohabitation status. Responses to these questions were scored to reflect degrees of social isolation.
Findings revealed that higher Social Network Index scores indicated that individuals with robust social networks demonstrated narrower AI-ECG age gaps across all demographics. Moreover, the status of one’s social network was found to have a significant effect on mortality risk. Throughout a two-year follow-up, about 5% of participants passed away, with those presenting low social index scores (of 1 or less) experiencing the highest mortality risk.
Although most participants were non-Hispanic white, the research identified health disparities among different racial groups. Non-white participants generally showed more significant average age gaps compared to their white counterparts, particularly among those with weaker social networks.
Dr Amir Lerman, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist and the study’s senior author, highlighted the study’s illumination of the crucial nexus between social isolation, health, and ageing. He emphasized that social isolation, when combined with certain demographic and medical factors, poses a significant risk factor for expedited ageing. However, Dr Lerman also pointed out the potential for behavioural changes, such as increased social interaction and healthier lifestyle choices, to significantly enhance overall health.
More information: Nazanin Rajai et al, Association Between Social Isolation With Age-Gap Determined by Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Electrocardiography, Journal of the American College of Cardiology. DOI: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2024.100890
Journal information: Journal of the American College of Cardiology Provided by Mayo Clinic
