Social Isolation and Associated Factors in Chinese Adults With Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to determine the prevalence of social isolation and associated factors among adults with epilepsy in northeast China.Methods: A cohort of consecutive patients with epilepsy (PWE) from the First Hospital of Jilin University (Changchun, China) was recruited. Demographic and clinical data for each patient were collected during a face-to-face interview. Social isolation was measured using the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index (SNI), and the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) were also administered. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with social isolation in PWE.Results: A total of 165 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean SNI score was 2.56 (SD: 1.19), and 35 patients (21.2%) were socially isolated. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher depressive symptom levels (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.003–1.318, P = 0.045) and poorer quality of life (OR = 0.967, 95% CI: 0.935–0.999, P = 0.047) emerged as independent factors associated with social isolation in PWE.Conclusion: Social isolation is common and occurs in approximately one-fifth of PWE. Social isolation is significantly associated with depressive symptoms and poor quality of life in PWE. Patients need to be encouraged to actively integrate with others and reduce social isolation, which may help improve their quality of life.

The impact of social isolation and loneliness on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and bibliometric investigation

“…The assessment scales used to measure loneliness were as follows: Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression (CESD) Scale 37 , the UCLA Loneliness Scale 38 , Single question loneliness scale 39 , Three-Item Loneliness Scale [T-ILS] 40 , and three-item subscale of the revised University of California, Los Angeles loneliness scale 41 . The measurement tools used in the evaluation of social isolation were the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index (SNI) 42 and the five-item Shankar index 43 ; see Appendix 3 and 4.…”

Fear of disease in patients with epilepsy – a network analysis

“…Such attribution carries negative connotations, resulting in societal constraints and discrimination against individuals with epilepsy ( 44 ). Moreover, Chinese individuals with epilepsy often experience heightened feelings of shame ( 45 ), further intensifying the social limitations ( 46 ). Taking these factors into consideration, our research findings seem to suggest that the “Fear of Social Restrictions” and “Fear of Public Perception” play a significant role in the fear symptoms of Chinese epilepsy patients.…”

The combined impact of social networks and connectedness on anxiety, stress, and depression during COVID-19 quarantine: a retrospective observational study

“…The SNI can be used to measure the objective social isolation in China ( 48 , 49 ). The scale assesses social networks and has four self-reported subcomponents: married (no = 0; yes = 1); close friends and relatives (0–2 friends and 0–2 relatives = 0, all other scores = 1); group involvement (no = 0; yes = 1); and participation in religious gatherings or community service (≤every few months = 0; >once or twice a month = 1).…”