Loneliness in middle age and biomarkers of systemic inflammation: Findings from Midlife in the United States

Nersesian, Paula V.; Han, Hae Ra; Yenokyan, Gayane; Blumenthal, Roger S.; Nolan, Marie T.; Hladek, Melissa; Szanton, Sarah L.

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.04.007

Cited by 92 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Similarly, for fibrinogen, some (Mezuk et al, ; Nersesian et al, ) but not all studies (Shankar et al, ) have detected an association between loneliness and raised fibrinogen concentrations. One recent study of 927 adults detected an association between loneliness and raised circulating interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) concentrations (Nersesian et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Loneliness has been linked with upregulation of proinflammatory gene expression (Cole, Hawkley, Arevalo, & Cacioppo, 2011), but associations with circulating inflammatory markers have been mixed. Some studies have found increased circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (Cole et al, 2007;Nersesian et al, 2018), whereas others have found no association (McDade, Hawkley, & Cacioppo, 2006;Mezuk et al, 2016;Shankar, McMunn, Banks, & Steptoe, 2011). Similarly, for fibrinogen, some (Mezuk et al, 2016;Nersesian et al, 2018) but not all studies (Shankar et al, 2011) have detected an association between loneliness and raised fibrinogen concentrations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies have found increased circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (Cole et al, 2007;Nersesian et al, 2018), whereas others have found no association (McDade, Hawkley, & Cacioppo, 2006;Mezuk et al, 2016;Shankar, McMunn, Banks, & Steptoe, 2011). Similarly, for fibrinogen, some (Mezuk et al, 2016;Nersesian et al, 2018) but not all studies (Shankar et al, 2011) have detected an association between loneliness and raised fibrinogen concentrations. One recent study of 927 adults detected an association between loneliness and raised circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations (Nersesian et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loneliness and biological responses to acute stress in people with Type 2 diabetes

et al. 2019

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Loneliness is linked with all‐cause mortality and coronary heart disease. Altered neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses to stress constitute potential pathways linking loneliness and ill‐health. Stress responsivity is modified in people with Type 2 diabetes, but it is unclear whether loneliness influences biological stress responses in this population. We assessed interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), and cortisol responses to acute stress in 135 people with Type 2 diabetes. Loneliness was measured used the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Loneliness was inversely associated with cortisol output poststress ( B = −4.429, p = 0.019) independent of age, sex, education, marital status, body mass index, and smoking. Lonelier individuals had raised MCP‐1 concentrations 75 min poststress independent of covariates ( B = 0.713, p = 0.022). No associations between loneliness and IL‐6 or IL‐1RA concentrations were detected. These results suggest that loneliness is associated with disturbances in stress responsivity in people with diabetes, and the impact of loneliness on health in people with diabetes may be mediated in part through dysregulation of inflammatory and neuroendocrine systems. Future research is required to understand if such changes increase the risk of poorer outcomes in this population.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Loneliness and biological responses to acute stress in people with Type 2 diabetes

et al. 2019

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“…Caring and respect in social relationships prompts a sense of well-being-together they act as a buffer against health problems (4) and catalyze myriad health bene ts. Loneliness is a perceived lack in quality or quantity of one's relationships (5) and predicts various health outcomes, including; systemic in ammation, increased blood pressure, depression, weight gain, smoking alcohol/drug use, and alone time (6)(7)(8)(9)(10). Loneliness is also closely linked with accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, and an increased likelihood that an older person discontinues PA over time (11,12).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Choose to Move: A Health Promoting Physical Activity Intervention Can Also Enhance Social Connectedness

Franke

Sims‐Gould

Nettlefold

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Despite the well-known health benefits of physical activity (PA), older adults are the least active citizens. Older adults are also at risk for loneliness. Given that lonely individuals are at risk for accelerated loss of physical functioning and health with age, PA interventions that aim to enhance social connectedness may decrease loneliness and increase long-term PA participation. The objectives of this mixed-method study are to: (1) evaluate whether an evidence-based PA intervention (Choose to Move; CTM) influenced PA and social connectedness differently among self-identified ‘lonely’ versus ‘not lonely’ older adults and (2) describe features of CTM that promote social connectedness.Methods: Two community delivery partner organizations delivered 56 CTM programs in 26 urban locations across British Columbia. We collected survey data from participants (n=458 at baseline) at 0 (baseline), 3 (mid-intervention) and 6 (post-intervention) months. We conducted in depth interviews with a subset of older adults at baseline (n=43), mid-intervention (n=38) and post-intervention (n=19).Results: PA increased from baseline to 3 months in lonely and not lonely participants. PA decreased from 3-6 months in lonely participants; however, PA at 6 months remained above baseline levels in both groups. Loneliness decreased from baseline to 3 and 6 months in participants identifying as lonely at baseline. Features of CTM that influence social connectedness include: Activity coach characteristics/personality traits and approaches; opportunity to share information and experiences and learn from others; engagement with others who share similar/familiar experiences; increased opportunity for meaningful interaction; and accountability.Conclusion: PA interventions that focus on social connectedness, through group-based activities can improve the health of older adults by addressing both loneliness and PA. Building social connectedness within a PA intervention for older adults may support long term changes in PA behaviours.

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“…First, there appear to be direct links between isolation or loneliness and activation of systemic biological processes that increase risk of cardiovascular disease such as raised concentration of inflammatory biomarkers and disruption of adrenocortical rhythms. 10 A second set of potential mechanisms relate to lifestyle and other behaviours. Social isolation is associated with less physical activity, poorer diet and more smoking over periods up to 10 years in older people.…”

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confidence: 99%

Living alone and mortality: more complicated than it seems

Abell

Steptoe

2019

European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes

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Loneliness in middle age and biomarkers of systemic inflammation: Findings from Midlife in the United States

Abstract: Feeling lonely is associated with systemic inflammation in middle-aged community-dwelling US adults.

Cited by 92 publications

References 77 publications

Loneliness and biological responses to acute stress in people with Type 2 diabetes

Loneliness and biological responses to acute stress in people with Type 2 diabetes

Choose to Move: A Health Promoting Physical Activity Intervention Can Also Enhance Social Connectedness

Living alone and mortality: more complicated than it seems

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