A global perspective on risk factors for social isolation in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: Older people's physical and mental health are now significantly impacted by social isolation, a major threat to public health. Our goal was to identify the connections between risk factors and social isolation among this population across various geographic areas. Methods: Seven databases were thoroughly searched, from their inception until April 2023. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to choose the studies. For the included cross-sectional studies, we used the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to assess the probability of bias, and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for the cohort studies. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA 15 to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI. Results: All 3043 papers were carefully examined, and 42 satisfied the criteria for inclusion. The results indicated that multi-domain risk factors and social isolation among older persons worldwide are significantly correlated. These multi-domain risk factors included biological factors, socioeconomic factors, and psychological and behavioral factors. It is also important to note that these factors may vary from region to region. Conclusion: Many domain factors were linked to social isolation in older individuals living in communities throughout the world. To develop effective strategies for controlling social isolation, it is crucial to conduct assessments of social isolation risk factors in local communities.