Resumo

MONTEJO-CARRASCO, Pedro; PRADA-CRESPO, David; MONTEJO-RUBIO, Christian  e  MONTENEGRO-PENA, Mercedes. Loneliness in the elderly: association with health variables, pain, and cognitive performance. A population-based study. Clínica y Salud [online]. 2022, vol.33, n.2, pp.51-58.  Epub 01-Ago-2022. ISSN 2174-0550.  https://dx.doi.org/10.5093/clysa2021a14.

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.

Palavras-chave : Loneliness; Quality of life; Pain; Cognitive performance; Memory problems; Mental health; Morbidity.

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