Social network and severe lower respiratory tract infections in older adults: findings from a Swedish longitudinal population-based study

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.12.031
• Publication Date: 2022-12-30T01:10:21Z
• Authors: Gillian L. Murphy; Giorgi Beridze; Davide L. Vetrano; Amaia Calderón-La...
• Keywords: Lower risk

To investigate the association between social network and risk prognosis of severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in older adults.Data from Swedish hospital records were matched with National Study on Aging Care Kungsholmen (SNAC-K). Social was operationalized as connections support, based different self-reported variables, categorized low, medium, high. The LRTI related outcomes assessed using Cox, Poisson, logistic regression models where appropriate.A total 362 individuals experienced LRTI-related hospitalizations 2001 2016 (479 hospitalizations). High levels support decreased hazard incident by 29% (hazard ratio 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.96), length stay 21% (incidence rate 0.79, CI 0.65-0.97), 30-day mortality 92% (odds 0.08, 0.01-0.68), but a factor for readmission 3.16, 1.38-7.24). associated higher women those dementia and/or slow walking speed (Pinteraction <0.05).Older individuals' quality seems to be stronger determinant incidence than quantity their connections. These findings may inform evidence-based policies aimed at preventing LRTIs adults.