| Title: | Loneliness, social isolation, and frailty: results from a prospective analysis of UK biobank participants |
| Journal: | Aging & Mental Health |
| Published: | 7 Jun 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42251686/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2026.2683910 |
Publication 20842
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine longitudinal associations of loneliness and social isolation with frailty status over time.</p>
METHODS: Prospective cohort study using baseline (2006-2010) and follow-up (2012-2013) data from 502,269 UK Biobank adults. Loneliness (subjective feelings and confiding frequency) and social isolation (household size, frequency of social visits, and participation in social activities) were assessed. Frailty was defined using five criteria (reduced grip strength, unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, and slow walking speed). Mixed-effects models were used to analyze the associations.</p>
RESULTS: Among 447,322 participants, 18,219 (4.1%) were frail and 180,755 (40.4%) pre-frail at baseline. Baseline loneliness was significantly associated with frailty cross-sectionally (OR 2.344, 95% CI 2.211-2.484) and prospectively (OR 2.484, 95% CI 1.773-3.480). Baseline social isolation was also associated with higher odds of frailty both cross sectionally (OR 2.020, 95% CI 1.926-2.117) and prospectively (OR 1.488, 95% CI 1.115-1.987). Compared with those who were consistently non lonely, any history of loneliness (persistent, worsening, or improving) was associated with a significantly lower probability of maintaining robust health.</p>
CONCLUSION: Loneliness and social isolation are correlated with an increased risk of frailty. The findings underscore the significance of performing early interventions to mitigate social isolation and loneliness as part of frailty management strategies.</p>
5 Authors
- Xuan Zhou
- Lei Yuan
- You Lv
- Zhang Wei
- Lanshu Zhou
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 99709 | Risk factor and causal association detection in common diseases |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health