Living Alone and Social Isolation's Impact on Mortality
Author Information
Author(s): Imamura Keigo, Kawai Hisashi, Ejiri Manami, Sasai Hiroyuki, Hirano Hirohiko, Fujiwara Yoshinori, Ihara Kazushige, Obuchi Shuichi
Primary Institution: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology
Hypothesis
How does living alone while being socially isolated affect older adults’ risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality?
Conclusion
Engaging in regular social interactions could help older adults reduce mortality.
Supporting Evidence
- 203 participants (5.0%) were living alone while being socially isolated.
- Social isolation was significantly associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.
- There was no association with mortality among those who lived alone but were not socially isolated.
Takeaway
If older people live alone but have friends and family they see often, they might not be at risk for dying early. But if they live alone and don't see anyone, that's a problem.
Methodology
Participants were classified into four groups based on their living situation and social isolation, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze mortality risk.
Participant Demographics
Community-dwelling older adults, mean age 72 years, 46% male.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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