Loneliness in the elderly: association with health variables, pain, and cognitive performance. A population-based study / La soledad en personas mayores: asociación con las variables de salud, el dolor y el rendimiento cognitivo. Estudio poblacional

ABSTRACT

The aim of this population-based study is to analyze the association of loneliness and physical health, pain, health-related quality of life, mental health, cognitive performance, morbidity, and use of health services. Based on the census, a stratified random sampling was chosen. A telephone interview was conducted with 2,060 people over 65 years old, using the GHQ-12 and the COOP-Wonca. An association of loneliness with General Mental Health (GHQ-12) was found, OR = 1.43 (1.34, 1.52) and depression, OR = 2.34 (1.54, 3.53). In cognitive performance the highest effect variable was “memory problems disturb your daily life”, OR = 3.11 (1.25, 7.72); illnesses-related variables: the highest effect variables were perception of health status, OR = 1.37 (1.13, 1. 67) and quality of life (COOP-Wonca), OR = 3.03 (2.32, 3.94); pain-related variables: the highest effect variables were non-localized pain, OR = 2.67 (1.87, 3.83) and arthritis/arthrosis, OR = 1.94 (1.38, 2.72); impaired vision, OR = 2. 62 (1.84, 3.73) and hearing, OR = 1.81 (1.21, 2.72). It is concluded that loneliness is a complex phenomenon associated with variables of different nature. This fact should be taken into account at the time of planning possible solutions. (AU)

RESUMEN

El objetivo de este estudio poblacional es analizar la asociación de la soledad no deseada (SND) con salud física, dolor, calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, salud mental, rendimiento cognitivo, morbilidad y uso de servicios de salud. Recurriendo al censo, se realizó un muestreo aleatorio estratificado en Madrid. Se llevó a cabo una entrevista telefónica a 2,060 mayores de 65 años utilizando el GHQ-12 y el COOP-Wonca. Encontramos asociación de la SND y la salud mental general (GHQ-12), OR = 1.43 (1.34, 1.52) y depresión, OR = 2.34 (1.54, 3.53). En rendimiento cognitivo, la variable de mayor efecto fue “los problemas de memoria alteran su vida cotidiana”, OR = 3.11 (1.25, 7.72); variables relacionadas con enfermedad: las de mayor efecto fueron “percepción del estado de salud”, OR = 1.37 (1.13, 1.67) y calidad de vida (COOP-Wonca), OR = 3.03 (2.32, 3.94); variables de dolor: dolor general, OR = 2.67 (1.87, 3.83) y artritis/artrosis, OR = 1.94 (1.38, 2.72); dificultades para ver, OR = 2.62 (1.84, 3.73) y oír, OR = 1.81 (1.21, 2.72). Se concluye que la SND es una situación compleja, lo que debe considerarse al programar soluciones que sean efectivas. (AU)