Researchers from Amsterdam UMC and the University of Glasgow have identified a detrimental impact of loneliness on the physical health of older adults in our society. Emiel Hoogendijk, an epidemiologist at Amsterdam Public Health, analyzed over 130 studies, uncovering a direct correlation between loneliness and an escalation in physical frailty. This frailty consequently elevates the likelihood of adverse health outcomes such as depression, falls, and cognitive impairment. These findings were disclosed in a recent publication in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing focus on the potentially harmful effects of loneliness and social isolation on the health of older adults. The research sought to understand the extent of these effects, revealing that diminished social functioning, including loneliness, social isolation, and a lack of social support, is linked to physical decline in older adults, according to Hoogendijk.
The study, spearheaded by Peter Hanlon, a clinical research fellow at the University of Glasgow, and involving contributions from researchers in Amsterdam UMC, Canada, Australia, and Sweden, delved into the association between social functioning and physical frailty in older adults. Hanlon explained that frailty encompasses various forms of physical deterioration, such as weight loss, decreased walking speed, and diminished muscle strength, which can increase the risk of falls.
Previous studies have shown that frailty can lead to reduced social interaction. In some scenarios, physical vulnerability may also result in the loss of social contacts or increased loneliness, for instance, due to reduced mobility, as noted by Hoogendijk. This research demonstrates that the causality can be reversed, where diminished social interaction leads to frailty.
The detrimental health effects of poor social functioning are significant, with the US Surgeon General last year equating the harm of loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Hoogendijk highlighted the increased risk of depression and various chronic diseases associated with loneliness or a lack of social contact. That can directly affect the immune system or indirectly impact health through an unhealthier lifestyle. Further research into these dynamics is planned.
Impairment in social and physical functioning often coexists, with physically vulnerable older individuals also experiencing a decline in social and mental functioning. As we care for older adults, it’s crucial to consider all these aspects, according to Hanlon. He emphasized that while loneliness is a complex issue, knowledge about effective interventions, such as activities to enhance social connections among older individuals, is progressively expanding.
More information: Peter Hanlon et al, The relationship between frailty and social vulnerability: a systematic review, The Lancet Healthy Longevity. DOI: 10.1016/S2666-7568(23)00263-5
Journal information: The Lancet Healthy Longevity Provided by Amsterdam University Medical Center
