Perfiles de soledad y aislamiento social en población urbana / Profiles of loneliness and social isolation in urban population

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de soledad y aislamiento social en la población mayor de 65 años cubierta por un equipo de atención primaria urbano e identificar sus principales características. DISEÑO: Encuesta telefónica. Emplazamiento: Área básica de Barcelona. PARTICIPANTES: Muestra aleatoria de población asignada de edad igual o superior a 65 años. Mediciones principales: Encuesta de soledad de UCLA, escala de red social de Lubben. RESULTADOS: Se entrevistó a 278 personas (respuesta 61,36%), 172 mujeres y 106 hombres, con una edad media de 76,7 ± 7,9 años. Existía una mayor proporción de factores de riesgo de soledad en los que no respondieron. La soledad se correlaciona estrechamente con el aislamiento social r = 0,736. La soledad moderada, con una prevalencia del 16,54%, se asocia a presentar dificultades a la marcha (OR 3,09, IC del 95%, 1,03-9,29), deterioro cognitivo (OR 3,97, IC del 95%, 1,19-13,27) y a barreras arquitectónicas (OR 5,29, IC del 95%, 2,12-13,23), mientras que la soledad severa, con una prevalencia de 18,71%, solo se asocia a convivir con menos personas (OR 0,61, IC del 95%, 0,40-0,93). El riesgo de aislamiento social, con una prevalencia del 38,85%, se asocia a la edad (OR 1,06, IC del 95%, 1,02-1,10) y a problemas de salud (OR 4,35, IC del 95%, 1,11-16,99). CONCLUSIONES: La soledad y el aislamiento social son muy prevalentes. Existen 2 perfiles de soledad, una moderada relacionada con las dificultades a la sociabilidad que aparecen con el envejecimiento y otra severa que no está asociada a la salud o las barreras. Las intervenciones deberían adecuarse a cada uno de estos perfiles

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in a population over 65 cared by a urban primary health team and to identify its main characteristics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study by a telephone survey. SETTING: Basic health area of Barcelona. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of assigned population of 65 or more years old. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: UCLA Loneliness Scale and Lubben Social Network Scale. RESULTS: 278 persons were interviewed (61,36% response rate), 172 women and 106 men, with an average age of 76,7 ± 7,9 years. A higher proportion of factors related to loneliness were identified in non-respondents. Loneliness was closely correlated to social r = 0,736. Moderate loneliness, with a prevalence of 16,54%, was associated to walking difficulties (OR 3,09, 95%, IC 1,03-9,29), cognitive impairment (OR 3,97, 95% IC 1,19-13,27) and architectural barriers (OR 5.29, 95% IC 2.12-13,23), although severe loneliness, with a prevalence of 18,71% was only associated to living together with less people (OR 0.61, 95% IC 0.40-0.93). Social isolation, with a prevalence of 38,85% was associated to aging (OR 1,06, 95% IC 1,02-1,10) and to the belief of having health problems (OR 4,35, 95% IC 1,11-16,99). CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness and social isolation are of high prevalence. The telephone survey underestimates its prevalence. There are 2 profiles of loneliness, one with moderate associated to the socialisation difficulties related to aging and another severe not related to health or to barriers that only can be identified by surveys or clinical interview. Interventions must be targeted to each of these profiles

[Profiles of loneliness and social isolation in urban population]. / Perfiles de soledad y aislamiento social en población urbana.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of loneliness and social isolation in a population over 65 cared by a urban primary health team and to identify its main characteristics. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study by a telephone survey. SETTING: Basic health area of Barcelona. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of assigned population of 65 or more years old. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: UCLA Loneliness Scale and Lubben Social Network Scale. RESULTS: 278 persons were interviewed (61,36% response rate), 172 women and 106 men, with an average age of 76,7 ± 7,9 years. A higher proportion of factors related to loneliness were identified in non-respondents. Loneliness was closely correlated to social r = 0,736. Moderate loneliness, with a prevalence of 16,54%, was associated to walking difficulties (OR 3,09, 95%, IC 1,03-9,29), cognitive impairment (OR 3,97, 95% IC 1,19-13,27) and architectural barriers (OR 5.29, 95% IC 2.12-13,23), although severe loneliness, with a prevalence of 18,71% was only associated to living together with less people (OR 0.61, 95% IC 0.40-0.93). Social isolation, with a prevalence of 38,85% was associated to aging (OR 1,06, 95% IC 1,02-1,10) and to the belief of having health problems (OR 4,35, 95% IC 1,11-16,99). CONCLUSIONS: Loneliness and social isolation are of high prevalence. The telephone survey underestimates its prevalence. There are 2profiles of loneliness, one with moderate associated to the socialisation difficulties related to aging and another severe not related to health or to barriers that only can be identified by surveys or clinical interview. Interventions must be targeted to each of these profiles.