Factors associated with social isolation in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Systematic evaluation of factors influencing social isolation in stroke patients for further intervention studies. Methods: We searched for observational studies in 7 databases from inception to January 2024. Two researchers performed literature screening, quality assessment, and data extraction independently according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and meta-analysis was performed using R4.3.1 software. Results: A total of 10 studies with a total sample size of 4162 cases were included. Meta-analysis showed that social isolation in stroke patients was associated with economic status (beta'=-0.21, 95%CI:0.39, -0.02; P=0.0261), degree of education (beta'=-0.16, 95%CI:0.29, -0.03; P=0.0171), marital status (beta'=0.13, 95%CI:0.04, 0.23; P=0.0069), social support (beta'=-0.37, 95%CI;-0.50, -0.25; P<0.0001), stigma(beta'=0.48, 95%CI:0.25, 0.72; P<0.0001), symptom burden (beta'=0.25, 95%CI:0.18, 0.31; P<0.0001), course of disease (beta'=0.23, 95%CI:0.08, 0.37; P=0.0021), combined chronic diseases (beta'=0.14, 95%CI:0.04, 0.24; P=0.0057), and limb function (beta'=0.33, 95%CI:0.23, 0.43; P<0.0001) were associated. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses showed that disease stage and sample source were sources of heterogeneity. Conclusion: There are many factors influencing the social isolation of stroke patients, and healthcare professionals should take timely and targeted measures to prevent and intervene effectively, with a view to improving the social participation of stroke patients and reducing their social isolation.