The association of social isolation and loneliness with sarcopenia among the middle-aged and elderly in China

• Published in: BMC psychiatry Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 513 - 9
• Main Authors: Tu, Lei, Li, Yiqun, Ren, Xiao, Jiang, Minglan, Han, Longyang, Zheng, Xiaowei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 18.07.2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Aged; Alcoholic beverages; Blood pressure; China - epidemiology; Cholesterol; Chronic illnesses; Complications and side effects; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cross-sectional study; Diabetes; Diagnosis; Disease; Female; Health aspects; Health care; Humans; Hypertension; Loneliness; Loneliness - psychology; Longitudinal Studies; Longitudinal study; Male; Malnutrition; Metabolic disorders; Middle age; Middle Aged; Muscle strength; Musculoskeletal system; Older people; Psychological aspects; Sarcopenia; Sarcopenia - psychology; Self report; Social interactions; Social isolation; Social Isolation - psychology; Social Support; China; Loneliness; Sarcopenia; Cross-sectional study; Social isolation; Longitudinal study
• ISSN: 1471-244X; 1471-244X
• DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05958-y

This study examined the relationship of social isolation and loneliness on sarcopenia among Chinese middle-aged and elderly people. Social isolation, loneliness, and sarcopenia were measured at baseline. Follow-up measures of new-onset sarcopenia were obtained 4 years later. Then used logistic regression to evaluate the association between social isolation, loneliness and sarcopenia. In cross-sectional analysis, social isolation and loneliness are significantly associated with sarcopenia [OR = 1.88 (95% CI = 1.54-2.28)]. In longitudinal analysis, social isolation and loneliness are significantly associated with sarcopenia [OR = 1.09 (95% CI = 0.71-1.69)]. Social isolation and loneliness have a synergistic effect. Among them, individuals over 60 years old [OR = 2.01 (95% CI = 1.37-2.96)] and those without social support [OR = 2.64 (1.61-4.32), P-for interaction < 0.001] are at higher risk. Social isolation and loneliness were significantly associated with sarcopenia, and there was a synergistic effect between social isolation and loneliness.