Is loneliness associated with mild cognitive impairment in low‐ and middle‐income countries?

Smıth, Lee; Bloska, Jodie; Jacob, Louis; Barnett, Yvonne; Butler, Laurie; Trott, Mike; Odell‐Miller, Helen; Veronese, Nicola; Kostev, Karel; Bettac, Erica L.; Godier-McBard, Lauren R.; Koyanagi, Ai

doi:10.1002/gps.5524

Cited by 19 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Although these attributes are part of Cornwell and Waite’s SD measure, the study did not include the aspect of PI. A study conducted in low- and middle-income countries such as China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa found that PI is significantly associated with MCI in individuals who are 65 years or older but not for those who are younger [ 19 ]. This study indicates a significant association between PI and MCI.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment by aspects of social isolation

et al. 2022

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Objectives This study describes the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) across different aspects of social isolation among adults 65 years or older. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we utilized the Wave 3 data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). MCI was defined as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score less than 23. Prevalence of MCI was calculated for above and below average social disconnectedness (SD), perceived isolation (PI), and demographic variables age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and household income. Results The overall prevalence [and 95% confidence interval] of MCI was 27.5% [25.5–29.6]. The high prevalence of MCI was found in those who had above average SD (32.0% [29.1–34.9]), above average PI (33.3% [29.7–36.8]), were older in age (43.1% [38.9–47.3]), male (28.7% [25.9–31.5]), Black (61.1% [52.5–69.6]), had less than a high school education (66.3% [58.9–73.8]), or were in the lowest income group (46.2% [39.7–52.7]). Those with above average SD or PI had a higher prevalence of MCI in almost all demographics, compared to those with below average SD or PI. Those who were Black or African American or had less than a high school education did not have a greater prevalence of MCI when SD was above average. Discussion This current study adds to the body of literature that links SD and PI to MCI and sheds light on the possible existing socio-demographic disparities. Groups with greater than average SD or PI tend to have a higher prevalence of MCI. Further studies are needed to establish a causal association of SD and PI with MCI.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment by aspects of social isolation

et al. 2022

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“…At present, direct research on loneliness and cognitive frailty is lacking. Some studies have demonstrated that loneliness is associated with cognitive impairment and frailty [ 18 , 19 , 48 ], reflecting the relationship between loneliness and cognitive frailty from the side. Loneliness has a high prevalence in people with low physical activity [ 49 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the Chinese community-dwelling elderly, loneliness is a robust factor for cognitive impairment and frailty [ 18 ]. The results of a study involving middle-aged and elderly people in several low- and middle-income countries illustrated that loneliness is related to mild cognitive impairment [ 19 ]. The study suggested that reducing the incidence of loneliness in the population can maintain cognitive function and prevent the occurrence of dementia [ 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results of a study involving middle-aged and elderly people in several low- and middle-income countries illustrated that loneliness is related to mild cognitive impairment [ 19 ]. The study suggested that reducing the incidence of loneliness in the population can maintain cognitive function and prevent the occurrence of dementia [ 19 ]. However, a study of older old people in Cambridge showed that loneliness does not have a long-term harmful effect on cognitive function [ 20 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mediating Effect of Loneliness in the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

et al. 2022

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Background: This study aims to explore the mediating role of loneliness between depressive symptoms and cognitive frailty among older adults in the community. Methods: A total of 527 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years were included in this cross-sectional study. A five-item geriatric depression scale was used to assess depression symptoms. Then, an eight-item University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale was used to assess loneliness. Moreover, the FRAIL scale and Mini-Mental State Examination were used to assess cognitive frailty. Furthermore, regression and bootstrap analyses were used to explore the mediating role of loneliness in depression symptoms and cognitive frailty. Results: Loneliness mediates the association between depression symptoms and cognitive frailty (95% CI = 0.164~0.615), and after adjusting for loneliness, the direct effect is no longer significant (95% CI = −0.113~1.318, p = 0.099). Conclusions: Results show that the effect of cognitive frailty is not depression symptoms but loneliness. All levels of society (the government, medical institutions, and communities) need to pay more attention to the mental health of the older adults, screen for loneliness, and take timely intervention and treatment measures. They should also build an age-friendly society and promote active aging.

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“…A study by Smith et al . [ 28 ] shows that loneliness is associated with MCI in low and middle-income countries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of neuropathological comorbid conditions in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment in a tertiary care center in South India

Padmanabhan

Paul

Suresh

et al. 2022

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care

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Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage in the continuum of cognitive decline. Multiple risk factors may be involved apart from neuropathological states such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and vascular dementia. There is scant data in the literature pertaining to our study population in Kerala, South India that provide associations between suggested risk factors and MCI. Most of the elderly present to family and primary care physicians with complaints of some form of memory impairment. Objectives: To find out the significant neuropathological comorbid conditions present in elderly patients with MCI. To assess for other risk factors in the same population- including laboratory parameters, comorbidities, and psychosocial parameters. Methods: This retrospective record-based study included a sample of 93 patients with MCI as quantified by the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE). These subjects were compared with controls ( n = 97) without MCI, with respect to neuropathological diagnoses, laboratory parameters and psychosocial parameters. Results: The findings of our study were that female gender, higher depression scores, a greater number of medications taken, benzodiazepine use, higher alkaline phosphatase levels, positive fall history, loss of a spouse, and lower levels of education were associated with MCI. MCI is negatively associated with positive alcohol history. The most commonly seen proven neuropathological diagnosis was Parkinson’s disease. Conclusion: The risk factors that were found in our study should be highlighted in the elderly and preventive measures should be taken to prevent the downward progression through the cognitive continuum. Prospective studies looking into mild cognitive impairment with better screening tools and proper assessment of neuropathological comorbid conditions can further elucidate the findings related to this study.

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Is loneliness associated with mild cognitive impairment in low‐ and middle‐income countries?

Cited by 19 publications

References 46 publications

The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment by aspects of social isolation

The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment by aspects of social isolation

Mediating Effect of Loneliness in the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Analysis of neuropathological comorbid conditions in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment in a tertiary care center in South India

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