The impact of social isolation on the health status and health-related quality of life of older people

• DOI: 10.1007/s11136-010-9717-2
• Publication Date: 2010-07-24T12:04:28Z
• Authors: Annie Hawton; Colin Green; Andy P. Dickens; Suzanne H. Richards; Rod S. Taylor; Rachel Edwards; Colin J. Greaves; John L. Campbell
• Keywords: Aged, 80 and over; Male; Aging; Psychometrics; Depression; Frail Elderly; Health Status; Age Factors; Middle Aged; Health Surveys; United Kingdom; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Social Isolation; Adaptation, Psychological; Quality of Life; Humans; Regression Analysis; Female; 10. No inequality; Stress, Psychological; Aged

To investigate for socially isolated older people, and older people at risk of social isolation: (1) health status and health-related quality of life (HRQL); (2) the relationship between social isolation and health status/HRQL; (3) the relationship between two alternative measures of health status/HRQL.Older people at risk of social isolation (n = 393) completed the EQ-5D and the SF-12. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between levels of social isolation and health status/HRQL, controlling for demographic/clinical characteristics. The agreement between EQ-5D and SF-6D (SF-12) scores was explored using descriptive psychometric techniques.Health status and health state values were much lower than UK general population age-matched norms. After controlling for depression, physical co-morbidities, age, gender, living alone status, employment and accommodation, social isolation was significantly associated, to a degree that was clinically relevant, with EQ-5D DSI, SF-6D (SF-12) and SF-12 MCS scores. The potential for ceiling effects on the EQ-5D with this population was identified.This work highlights the burden that social isolation may have on the health and well-being of older people. The potential HRQL gains from addressing social isolation may be considerable, with those at risk of social isolation also a key target group.