Loneliness and the prevalence of injuries, falls and fractures in older people

Abstract The feeling of being alone (loneliness) experienced by older people contributes to deterioration of health, reduced physical and mental fitness, or inability to continue life roles. Loneliness may lead to behaviors that increase the risk of accidents, falls, and fractures, which are particularly dangerous in old age. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between loneliness and the prevalence of injuries, falls, and fractures in older people. The studied group consisted of 464 people (48% men), aged 62-86 years (mean: 71.6, SD: 6.3), who participated in the Polish part of the HAPIEE Study (Health Alcohol and Psychosocial Factors in Eastern Europe); random subsample examined in 2019-2020. Trained nurses interviewed respondents in their homes. The 3-item UCLA scale (range 3-9, cut-off point≥6) was used to assess loneliness. Data on injuries or accidents in previous 10 years, falls in previous 12 months, history of wrist, hip fracture or undergoing joint surgery/alloplastic was recorded. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. There were 460 participants included in the analysis. In 34 participants (7.3%) UCLA score was ≥6. In the previous 10 years, 95 respondents (20.5%) reported an injury or accident, 77 (16.6%) fell in previous 12 months. There were 6 (1.3%) respondents with history of hip fracture, 48 (10.3%) with history of wrist fracture, and 35 (7.5%) with history of joint surgery/alloplastic. No statistically significant relationship between loneliness and the prevalence of injuries, falls and fractures in older residents was found neither in the crude models nor after adjustment for covariates (age, sex, BMI, marital status, having offspring). Loneliness did not predict injuries, falls, and fractures in older urban residents. It seems that perception of being alone is weaker determinant of health as a measure not fully reflecting objective social isolation, which may actually have a greater impact on falls and injuries. Key messages • 1/5 of older people have experienced any injury or accident and 17% reported to have fallen in the previous year. • Loneliness did not predict injuries, falls, and fractures in older urban residents.