Social isolation, loneliness, and motoric cognitive risk syndrome among older adults in China: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the associations between social isolation, loneliness, and motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) among older adults in China. Methods Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in the 2011 and 2015 waves. Social isolation and loneliness were measured by an index and an item, and MCR was defined as subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between social isolation, loneliness, and MCR by gender. Results Of 3251 eligible participants, the incidence of MCR was 10.03%. Social isolation and loneliness were not significantly associated with incident MCR in men. Loneliness was positively associated with incident MCR in women (OR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.01), while social isolation was not. Conclusions Loneliness is associated with incident MCR among female older adults in China. More attention is advised to be paid to loneliness among female older adults, to hold promise for the prevention and reduction of MCR.

Social frailty and the incidence of motoric cognitive risk syndrome in older adults

“…included 3125 participants from the 2011 and 2015 waves of the CHARLS 11 and did not find any significant association of social isolation with incident MCR in men (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.80–1.36) or women (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.90–1.59) after adjusting for confounding factors. 11 However, since these two studies were both conducted in the same population (CHARLS participants), further studies are needed in other populations to validate these findings.…”

“…Although our study is the first to examine the relationship between social frailty and MCR in older adults, recent studies have investigated the relationships between several aspects of social frailty and MCR, including social support, social interactions, and social isolation. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 Social support is one component of social frailty (i.e., lacking social resources), and previous studies have reported inconsistent results across different populations. 10 , 13 For example, Felix et al.…”

“…the relationships between several aspects of social frailty and MCR, including social support, social interactions, and social isolation. [10][11][12][13] Social support is one component of social frailty (i.e., lacking social resources), and previous studies have reported inconsistent results across different populations. (MOS-SSS).…”

“…Recently, researchers have attempted to identify MCR‐related social factors and revealed various associations between social factors and the risk of MCR. 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 For example, lower social support (lacking social resources), but not social isolation (lacking social interaction), was reported to be associated with an increased risk of incident MCR in longitudinal studies. 10 , 11 Moreover, individuals are exposed to various concurrent social factors; thus, a comprehensive assessment that considers multiple social factors may more accurately capture social status.…”

“… 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 For example, lower social support (lacking social resources), but not social isolation (lacking social interaction), was reported to be associated with an increased risk of incident MCR in longitudinal studies. 10 , 11 Moreover, individuals are exposed to various concurrent social factors; thus, a comprehensive assessment that considers multiple social factors may more accurately capture social status. Social frailty is an integrated construct including multiple social aspects, such as social behaviors (e.g., volunteer work, participating in club or group activities), social resources (e.g., living with spouses or partners), and basic social needs (e.g., financial status and social support).…”