RT Journal Article
T1 Are loneliness and social isolation associated with cognitive decline? Evidence from a longitudinal population-based study
A1 Lara Pérez, Elvira
A1 Caballero, Francisco Félix
A1 Rico Uribe, Laura
A1 Olaya, Beatriz
A1 Haro, Josep Maria
A1 Ayuso Mateos, José Luis
A1 Miret, Marta
AB Objective: This study aimed to examine the association of loneliness and social isolation on cognition over a 3-year follow-up period in middle- and older-aged adults.Methods: Data from a Spanish nationally representative sample were analyzed (n = 1691; aged 50 years or older). Loneliness, social isolation, and cognition (immediate recall, delayed recall, verbal fluency, forward digit span, backward digit span, and a composite cognitive score) were assessed both at baseline and at follow-up. Adjusted generalized estimating equations models were performed.Results: Loneliness was significantly associated with lower scores in the composite cognitive score, immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency, and backward digit span (B = -0.14 to B = -3.16; P < .05) and with a more rapid decline from baseline to follow-up in two out of six cognitive tests. Higher social isolation was associated with lower scores in the composite cognitive score, verbal fluency, and forward digit span (B = -0.06 to B = -0.85; P < .05). The effect of loneliness and social isolation on cognition remained significant after the exclusion of individuals with depression.Conclusions: Both loneliness and social isolation are associated with decreased cognitive function over a 3-year follow-up period. The development of interventions that include the enhancement of social participation and the maintenance of emotionally supportive relationships might contribute to cognitive decline prevention and risk reduction.
PB Wiley
SN 0885-6230
YR 2019
FD 2019-11-01
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99900
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99900
LA eng
NO Lara, E., Caballero, F. F., Rico-Uribe, L. A., Olaya, B., Haro, J. M., Ayuso-Mateos, J. L., & Miret, M. (2019). Are loneliness and social isolation associated with cognitive decline?. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 34(11), 1613–1622. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5174
NO Seventh Framework Programme. European Union
NO Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental ACI-Promociona
NO Proyectos de Investigación en Salud. Instituto de Salud Carlos III
NO Generalitat de Catalunya
DS Docta Complutense
RD 6 abr 2025