Loneliness is Associated with the Symptom Cluster of Pain, Fatigue, and Depression in Older Americans (S724)

Abstract

•Examine the prevalence of the symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, and depression in a large representative sample of American adults 50 years of age and older from 2006 to 2014.•Describe the relationship between loneliness and the symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, and depression in a large representative sample of American adults 50 years of age and older. The prevalence of chronic pain is increasing over time. Loneliness is an internal experience of isolation and lack of connection. Prior research has linked loneliness with multiple negative health outcomes, including mood disorders and overall mortality. The relationship between loneliness and chronic pain has not been investigated in a representative sample of older adults. To determine the prevalence of the symptom cluster of pain, fatigue, and depression in a large representative sample of older Americans and to explore the relationship between loneliness and the symptom cluster. We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults ≥50 years old using nationally representative data from 2006–2014 obtained from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). We analyzed the prevalence of pain, fatigue, depression as well the symptom cluster from 2006–2014. We then used adjusted logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between loneliness and the symptom cluster. From 2006 to 2014, the prevalence of frequent moderate to severe pain causing interference with daily activities increased from 17.9% to 19.4%; fatigue increased from 17.8% to 21.4%; depressive symptoms decreased from 15.0% to 13.4%. From 2008 to 2012, symptom cluster prevalence increased slightly from 4.4% to 4.7%. Loneliness predicted the presence of pain (OR 1.88 – 2.61, 95% CI 1.61– 2.46), fatigue (OR 2.51 – 3.04, 95%CI 1.79 – 3.53), depression (OR 4.69 – 6.01, 95%CI 4.37 - 7.30), and the symptom cluster (OR 5.62 – 6.54, 95%CI 3.08 – 10.25). Recently, more older Americans report pain and fatigue while slightly fewer report depressive symptoms. The symptom cluster, a proxy for chronic pain, increased slightly. Lonely individuals were much more likely to report the symptom cluster.