Braig Stefanie, Denkinger Michael D, Dallmeier Dhayana, Klenk Jochen, Rothenbacher Dietrich
Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, Helmholtzstraße 22, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
Research Unit on Ageing, Geriatric Center Ulm/Alb-Donau, AGAPLESION Bethesda Clinic Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
Aging Clin Exp Res. 2025 May 3;37(1):140. doi: 10.1007/s40520-025-03041-4.
Pathways between social isolation (SI), loneliness and health are unclear.
To analyze the relationship between SI and loneliness with biomarkers of inflammation, cardiac and immune function, functional parameters, and mortality.
SI (Lubben Social Network Scale) from family, friends, and overall as well as loneliness (single direct question) were assessed at baseline in a population-based cohort study of 1459 community-dwelling adults aged 65 + in Germany. Serum biomarkers and functional parameters measured at baseline and at three-year follow-up included high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-cTnI), high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT), gait speed, and hand grip strength. We used linear and Cox regression analyses adjusted for age and sex (model 1) and established confounders (model 2).
High SI from friends was associated with small but significant adverse associations with some biomarkers (hs-CRP, GDF-15, hs-cTnT) at follow-up (model 1). High SI from family associated with NT-proBNP (model 2), high SI and moderate to severe loneliness with lower gait speed. Loneliness was linked to hs-CRP at baseline, but SI was a stronger predictor of biomarker levels. High SI overall (Hazard ratio 1.39, 95% CI 1.15; 1.67, model 2) was associated with increased 10-year mortality.
Mainly SI from friends is linked to unfavorable biomarker profiles with small associations. Overall SI was negatively associated with functional parameters and positively with mortality.
Further research should confirm our findings using, e.g. a multidimensional assessment of loneliness.
社会隔离（SI）、孤独感与健康之间的关联路径尚不清楚。
分析社会隔离和孤独感与炎症、心脏和免疫功能的生物标志物、功能参数及死亡率之间的关系。
在德国一项基于人群的队列研究中，对1459名65岁及以上社区居住成年人进行基线评估，采用鲁本社会网络量表评估来自家人、朋友及总体的社会隔离情况，并用单一直接问题评估孤独感。在基线和三年随访时测量的血清生物标志物和功能参数包括高敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、生长分化因子-15（GDF-15）、N端前脑钠肽（NT-proBNP）、高敏肌钙蛋白I（hs-cTnI）、高敏肌钙蛋白T（hs-cTnT）、步速和握力。我们使用了针对年龄和性别进行调整的线性回归和Cox回归分析（模型1）以及既定的混杂因素（模型2）。
随访时，来自朋友的高度社会隔离与一些生物标志物（hs-CRP、GDF-15、hs-cTnT）存在虽小但显著的不利关联（模型1）。来自家人的高度社会隔离与NT-proBNP相关（模型2），高度社会隔离以及中度至重度孤独感与较低的步速相关。孤独感在基线时与hs-CRP相关，但社会隔离是生物标志物水平更强的预测因素。总体高度社会隔离（风险比1.39，95%可信区间1.15；1.67，模型2）与10年死亡率增加相关。
主要是来自朋友的社会隔离与不利的生物标志物谱存在小的关联。总体社会隔离与功能参数呈负相关，与死亡率呈正相关。
进一步的研究应使用例如对孤独感的多维评估来证实我们的发现。
