The association between loneliness, social isolation and inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Smith, Kimberley J.; Gavey, Shannon; Riddell, Natalie E.; Kontari, Panagiota; Chapot, Victor

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.002

Cited by 208 publications

(160 citation statements)

References 96 publications

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“…In samples with overt type 2 diabetes, loneliness has been associated with dysregulation in cortisol responses to acute laboratory stress [35]. Loneliness is also associated with inflammation [36], which is of relevance to type 2 diabetes as pooled evidence suggests that heightened inflammation is a risk factor for the condition [37]. Indeed, loneliness has been associated with heightened inflammation in laboratory settings in people with diagnosed type 2 diabetes [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness and type 2 diabetes incidence: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2020

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Aims/hypothesis Loneliness is associated with all-cause mortality and coronary heart disease. However, the prospective relationship between loneliness and type 2 diabetes onset is unclear. Methods We conducted a longitudinal observational population study with data on 4112 diabetes-free participants (mean age 65.02 ± 9.05) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Loneliness was assessed in 2004–2005 using the revised University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale. Incident type 2 diabetes cases were assessed from 2006 to 2017. Associations were modelled using Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for potential confounders, which included cardiometabolic comorbidities. Results A total of 264 (6.42%) participants developed type 2 diabetes over the follow-up period. Loneliness was a significant predictor of incident type 2 diabetes (HR 1.46; 95% CI 1.15, 1.84; p = 0.002) independent of age, sex, ethnicity, wealth, smoking status, physical activity, alcohol consumption, BMI, HbA1c, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Further analyses detected an association between loneliness and type 2 diabetes onset (HR 1.41; 95% CI 1.04, 1.90; p = 0.027), independent of depressive symptoms, living alone and social isolation. Living alone and social isolation were not significantly associated with type 2 diabetes onset. Conclusions/interpretation Loneliness is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms underlying this relationship remain to be elucidated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness and type 2 diabetes incidence: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

2020

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“…Notably, there is considerable evidence for a close relationship between social isolation and inflammatory infection (Eisenberger et al, 2017). Social isolated loneliness is typically associated with higher levels of sympathetic nervous system activation and hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical activity, subsequently causing overactivation of the inflammatory response (Smith et al, 2020).…”

Section: Contents Lists Available At Sciencedirectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home quarantine or centralized quarantine, which is more conducive to fighting COVID-19 pandemic?

Zhu

Wang

Dong

et al. 2020

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

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“…The loneliness and social isolation imposed by COVID-19 stay-at-home orders are additional sources of stress. 37,38 Although not extensively studied in oncology patients, 39 loneliness and social isolation are associated with a higher symptom burden, 40 poorer health, and higher all-cause mortality in older adults. 41 Given the paucity of research on the associations between COVID-19 and cancer-related stress and the severity of common symptoms in oncology patients, we evaluated for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, levels of social isolation and loneliness, and the occurrence and severity of common symptoms between oncology patients with low vs. high levels of COVID-19 and cancer-related stress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress and Symptom Burden in Oncology Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Miaskowski

Paul

Snowberg

et al. 2020

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

113

123

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Context. No information is available on oncology patients' level of stress and symptom burden during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Objectives. To evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, levels of social isolation and loneliness, and the occurrence and severity of common symptoms between oncology patients with low vs. high levels of COVID-19 and cancer-related stress. In addition, to determine which of these characteristics were associated with membership in the highstressed group. Methods. Patients were 18 years and older; had a diagnosis of cancer; and were able to complete an online survey. Results. Of the 187 patients in this study, 31.6% were categorized in the stressed group (Impact of Event ScaledRevised [score of $24]). Stressed group's Impact of Event ScaledRevised score exceeds previous benchmarks in oncology patients and equates with probable post-traumatic stress disorder. In this stressed group, patients reported occurrence rates for depression (71.2%), anxiety (78.0%), sleep disturbance (78.0%), evening fatigue (55.9%), cognitive impairment (91.5%), and pain (75.9%). Symptom severity scores equate with clinically meaningful levels for each symptom. Conclusion. We identified alarmingly high rates of stress and an extraordinarily high symptom burden among patients with cancer, exceeding those previously benchmarked in this population and on par with noncancer patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Given that the COVID-19 pandemic will likely impact cancer care for an indefinite period, clinicians must exhibit increased vigilance in their assessments of patients' level of stress and symptom burden. Moreover, an increase in referrals to appropriate supportive care resources must be prioritized for high-risk patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020;60:e25ee34.

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The association between loneliness, social isolation and inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 208 publications

References 96 publications

Loneliness and type 2 diabetes incidence: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Loneliness and type 2 diabetes incidence: findings from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Home quarantine or centralized quarantine, which is more conducive to fighting COVID-19 pandemic?

Stress and Symptom Burden in Oncology Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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