Usual source and better quality of primary care are associated with lower loneliness scores: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Family practice 2023-04, Vol.41 (3), p.312-320
• Main Authors: Kaneko, Makoto, Shinoda, Satoru, Nakayama, Izumi, Xu, Juan, Yagome, Susumu, Goto, Atsushi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Service Research; Humans; Japan; Loneliness - psychology; Male; Middle Aged; Primary Health Care; Quality of Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1460-2229; 0263-2136; 1460-2229
• DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmad049

Loneliness is a global issue, and primary care physicians play an important role in assessing and intervening with loneliness. This study aimed to examine the association between having a usual source of care (USC) or a good quality of primary care, and loneliness. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Japan in 2022. A total of 6,000 residents were randomly sampled from the general population, aged 20-74 years. The outcome was the total score of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) 3-item loneliness scale. The exposure included USC and the Person-Centered Primary Care Measure (PCPCM), which assesses the quality of primary care. We conducted a linear regression analysis to adjust for age, sex, educational status, annual household income, self-rated health, living status (whether alone or not), and the existence of physical health problems. Of the 6,000 residents, 1,277 responded to the survey. The median score of the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale was 6.0 and the mean total score of the PCPCM was 2.62. Of the 1,277 individuals, 713 (55.8%) had USC. Having USC was significantly associated with lower scores on the UCLA 3-item loneliness scale; the coefficient was -0.34 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.57 to -0.12). Also, the total PCPCM score was significantly associated with lower loneliness scores; the coefficient was -0.56 (P < 0.001, 95% CI: -0.78 to -0.35). Having USC and a better quality primary care were associated with a lower loneliness score. The quality of primary care could be a factor to mitigate patient loneliness.