National Prevalence and Risk Factors for Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (FR223B)

• Published in: Journal of pain and symptom management 2023-05, Vol.65 (5), p.e526-e526
• Main Authors: Suen, Angela, MD, Cenzer, Irena, PhD, Iyer, Anand, MD MSPH, Sudore, Rebecca, MD, Kotwal, Ashwin, MD MS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Pain Medicine
• ISSN: 0885-3924
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.02.033

Outcomes1. Appreciate the high prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in people with COPD and COPD on oxygen supplementation. 2. Evaluate risk factors for loneliness and social isolation in people with COPD. Loneliness and social isolation are distinct social risk factors critical to health, quality of life, and healthcare use among persons with COPD. However, their prevalence is not well-described in this population, especially those with COPD requiring oxygen. We used the nationally representative Health Retirement Study (2016-2018), which includes adults ≥50 years (N=10,225). COPD and oxygen use are self-reported. We categorized participants into three groups: (1) no COPD, (2) COPD, and (3) COPD on oxygen. Loneliness was measured using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Social isolation was defined using a 15-item scale measuring household contacts, social network interaction, and community engagement. We used multivariable logistic regression adjusting for sociodemographic and comorbidities to determine their adjusted prevalence and identify independent risk factors. The average age was 68 years (range 50-102), 9% reported COPD, 2% COPD on oxygen, 54% female, 10% African American, 10% Latino, 66% married/partnered. After adjustment, persons with COPD were more likely to experience loneliness (no COPD: 10%, COPD: 22%, COPD on oxygen: 30%, p