Determinants of social health trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic in older adults: the Rotterdam Study

• DOI: 10.1017/s1041610221002891
• Publication Date: 2022-01-28T06:58:38Z
• Authors: Isabelle F. van d...; René J.F. Melis; Rowina F. Hussainali; Marieke Perry; Myrra J.F. Vernoo...; M. Arfan Ikram; Annemarie I. Luik; Meike W. Vernooij
• Keywords: Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Betacoronavirus

Objectives:The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and accompanying lockdown restrictions impacted social life significantly. We studied associations of sociodemographic factors, mental health markers, brain structure with trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design:Prospective longitudinal population-based cohort study.Setting:Community-dwelling inhabitants Rotterdam, Netherlands.Participants:Repeated questionnaires including questions on were sent to Rotterdam Study participants from April 2020 onwards. Social data at study baseline available for 5017 (mean age: 68.7 ± 11.3; 56.9% women).Measurements:Determinants assessed in routine follow-up (1990–2020), global volumes a subset (N = 1720). applied linear mixed models generalized estimating equations quantify between determinants loneliness, perceived isolation connectedness over three time points 22nd July 31st 2020.Results:Loneliness prevalence was 27.9% versus 12.6% prepandemic. (baseline mean 4.7 2.4) loneliness scores 4.9 1.5) decreased time, whereas remained stable. Depressive symptoms, female sex, prepandemic living alone, not owning pet independently associated lower higher baseline, but recovery similar all determinants. Larger intracranial volume connectedness.Conclusions:Despite differences specific determinants, older adults showed alongside stable pandemic. is multidimensional, especially crisis.