Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal observational studies

• Published in: Heart (British Cardiac Society) Vol. 102; no. 13; pp. 1009 - 1016
• Main Authors: Valtorta, Nicole K, Kanaan, Mona, Gilbody, Simon, Ronzi, Sara, Hanratty, Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.07.2016; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Original article
• Subjects: Bias; Cardiac Risk Factors and Prevention; Cardiovascular disease; Coronary Disease - etiology; Coronary Disease - psychology; Humans; Loneliness; Observational Studies as Topic; Risk Factors; Social Isolation; Socioeconomic factors; Stroke - etiology; Stroke - psychology
• ISSN: 1355-6037; 1468-201X; 1468-201X
• DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2015-308790

BackgroundThe influence of social relationships on morbidity is widely accepted, but the size of the risk to cardiovascular health is unclear.ObjectiveWe undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between loneliness or social isolation and incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.MethodsSixteen electronic databases were systematically searched for longitudinal studies set in high-income countries and published up until May 2015. Two independent reviewers screened studies for inclusion and extracted data. We assessed quality using a component approach and pooled data for analysis using random effects models.ResultsOf the 35 925 records retrieved, 23 papers met inclusion criteria for the narrative review. They reported data from 16 longitudinal datasets, for a total of 4628 CHD and 3002 stroke events recorded over follow-up periods ranging from 3 to 21 years. Reports of 11 CHD studies and 8 stroke studies provided data suitable for meta-analysis. Poor social relationships were associated with a 29% increase in risk of incident CHD (pooled relative risk: 1.29, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.59) and a 32% increase in risk of stroke (pooled relative risk: 1.32, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.68). Subgroup analyses did not identify any differences by gender.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that deficiencies in social relationships are associated with an increased risk of developing CHD and stroke. Future studies are needed to investigate whether interventions targeting loneliness and social isolation can help to prevent two of the leading causes of death and disability in high-income countries.Study registration numberCRD42014010225.