Is loneliness associated with mild cognitive impairment in low- and middle-income countries?

Smith, Lee, Bloska, Jodie, Jacob, Louis, Barnett, Yvonne A., Butler, Laurie T., Trott, Mike, Odell-Miller, Helen, Veronese, Nicola, Kostev, Karel, Bettac, Erica, Godier-McBard, Lauren R. and Koyanagi, Ai (2021) Is loneliness associated with mild cognitive impairment in low- and middle-income countries? International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 36 (9). pp. 1345-1353. ISSN 1099-1166

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Abstract

Background: Loneliness may be a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment but studies on this topic are scarce, particularly from low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between loneliness and MCI in six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa). Methods: Cross‐sectional, community‐based, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) were analyzed. The definition of MCI was based on the National Institute on Ageing‐Alzheimer’s Association criteria. Multivariable logistic regression analysis and meta‐analysis were conducted to assess associations. Results: The final analytical sample consisted of 19092 and 13623 individuals aged 50‐64 years (middle‐aged adults) and ≥65 years (older adults), respectively. Among the middle‐aged, overall, loneliness was associated with a non‐significant 1.43 (95%CI=0.93‐2.21) times higher odds for MCI although significant associations were observed in China (OR=1.51; 95%CI=1.08‐2.09) and South Africa (OR=3.87; 95%CI=1.72‐8.71). As for older adults, overall, there was a significant association between loneliness and MCI (OR=1.52; 95%CI=1.12‐2.07). Conclusion: In this large representative sample of middle‐aged and older adults from multiple LMICs, findings suggest that loneliness is associated with MCI. It may be prudent to consider reducing loneliness in low‐economic settings to aid in the prevention of MCI and ultimately dementia.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	LMIC, Loneliness, MCI, Multi-country
Faculty:	Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine & Social Care Faculty of Science & Engineering
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic User
Depositing User:	Symplectic User
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2021 10:15
Last Modified:	19 Feb 2022 02:02
URI:	https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/706269

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