Suffering from Loneliness Indicates Significant Mortality Risk of Older People

Author:

Tilvis Reijo S.12,Laitala Venla1,Routasalo Pirkko E.2,Pitkälä Kaisu H.23

Affiliation:

1. Clinics of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Helsinki University Central Hospital, BOX 340, 00290 HUS, Helsinki, Finland

2. Central Union for the Welfare of the Aged, Malmin kauppatie 26, 00700 Helsinki, Finland

3. Unit of General Practice, Helsinki University Central Hospital, BOX 20, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Abstract

Background. The harmful associates of suffering from loneliness are still in dispute. Objective. To examine the association of feelings of loneliness with all-cause mortality in a general aged population.Methods. A postal questionnaire was sent to randomly selected community-dwelling of elderly people (>74 years) from the Finnish National Population Register. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, living conditions, functioning, health, and need for help. Suffering from loneliness was assessed with one question and participants were categorized as lonely or not lonely. Total mortality was retrieved from the National Population Information System.Results. Of 3687 respondents, 39% suffered from loneliness. Lonely people were more likely to be deceased during the 57-month follow-up (31%) than subjects not feeling lonely (23%, ). Excess mortality (, 95% ) of lonely people increased over time. After controlling for age and gender, the mortality risk of the lonely individuals was 1.33 (95% ) and after further controlling for subjective health 1.17 (). The excess mortality was consistent in all major subgroups.Conclusion. Suffering from loneliness is common and indicates significant mortality risk in old age.

Publisher

Hindawi Limited

Subject

Geriatrics and Gerontology

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