| Title: | Loneliness, social isolation, and biological aging: Evidence from two large population-based cohort studies |
| Journal: | Journal of Affective Disorders |
| Published: | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41895609/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2026.121690 |
Publication 18201
WARNING: the interactive features of this website use CSS3, which your browser does not support. To use the full features of this website, please update your browser.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine the association between loneliness, social isolation, and biological aging in older adults.</p>
METHODS: We used data from the UK Biobank (N = 334,415) and NHANES III (N = 6364). Loneliness score and social isolation score were assessed using standardized scales at baseline. Three biomarker-based biological age (BA) measures were used: Klemera-Doubal method age (KdmAge), PhenoAge, and Homeostatic Dysregulation Age (HD Age).</p>
RESULTS: In the UK Biobank study, higher levels of loneliness and social isolation were associated with increased risk of accelerated biological aging. Using KdmAge to define accelerated biological aging, participants with a loneliness score of 1 and 2 had adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01-1.04) and 1.12 (95% CI: 1.08-1.15), respectively, compared to those with score of 0. Similarly, for social isolation, the ORs were 1.04 (95% CI: 1.02-1.05) for score of 1 and 1.13 (95% CI: 1.10-1.16) for score of 2. Consistent associations were also observed when accelerated biological aging was defined using PhenoAge and HD Age. Mediation analysis indicated that accelerated biological aging significantly mediated the link between social loneliness/isolation and all-cause mortality. Findings from the NHANES study supported these results.</p>
CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted the significant impact of loneliness and social isolation on biological aging, suggesting that these social factors play a crucial role in the physiological decline in elderly people.</p>
12 Keywords
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Aging
- Cohort Studies
- Female
- Humans
- Loneliness
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Nutrition Surveys
- Social Isolation
- United Kingdom
6 Authors
- Ruirui Wang
- Xiangyan Yin
- Yi Chen
- Xiaoxiao Wang
- Mengyao Shi
- Yonghong Zhang
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 91185 | Multi-omics Study of Non-communicable Disease and Their Interaction with Environmental Factors |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health