Relations of loneliness, chronic disease risk, self-rated health, perceived impairment in activity and use of care among older people cross-sectional and longitudinal

• Introduction: Loneliness is not only an unwanted feeling but it may have consequences for health outcomes including chronic disease risk, self-rated health, perceived impairment in activity and use of care. This study examined how feelings of loneliness change over time and relate to health outcomes among older adults.Methods: This study included data spanning a 23-year period from Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) participants who were 55 years and older. Loneliness was measured by the question ‘How often do you experience feelings of loneliness’ and was dichotomized as never versus ever having feelings of loneliness. Outcomes of interest included number of chronic diseases, self-rated health, perceived impairment in activities and receipt of care. Generalized linear models were used to characterize changes in loneliness over time and 2 cross-sectional multivariate logistic regression models explored the relationship between loneliness and the outcomes.Results: Nearly half of respondents (45,8%) never felt lonely at baseline. At follow-up, significantly more persons experienced feelings of loneliness. At baseline, feelings of loneliness were related to chronic diseases, self-rated health, and perceived impairment in activity. Loneliness at follow-up was related to self-rated health and perceived impairment in activity.Conclusion: oneliness increased over time and demonstrated complex relations to the outcomes.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Annan medicin och hälsovetenskap -- Gerontologi, medicinsk/hälsovetenskaplig inriktning (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Other Medical and Health Sciences -- Gerontology, specialising in Medical and Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

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