Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the association between multimorbidity and (i) loneliness, (ii) social exclusion and (iii) network size, respectively.MethodsCross-sectional data from a German representative sample of community-dwelling adults aged 40 and over was used (N = 7604). Multimorbidity was indicated with the presence of two or more diseases. Self-rated loneliness was assessed with a short form of the validated De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and social exclusion was measured with a validated scale developed by Bude and Lantermann. Counts of important people in regular contact represented the network size of respondents.ResultsMultimorbidity was present in 68% of the sample. While controlling for potential confounders, multiple linear regression analysis yielded that multimorbidity was associated with increased loneliness (b = 0.08; p < 0.001) and increased social exclusion (b = 0.10; p < 0.01). Multimorbidity was also associated with an increased network size (b = 0.27; p < 0.001).ConclusionWhile there was an association between multimorbidity and increased social exclusion as well as increased loneliness, regressions also revealed an association between multimorbidity and an increased network size. Although the association between multimorbidity and our outcome measures is weak, its complex nature should be investigated further using a longitudinal approach.
Highlights
Among adults with chronic illnesses, having only a single illness condition is less common than multimorbidity [1]
Sample characteristics In total, 7604 participants reported on their loneliness, social exclusion and network size
Main findings This study examined the association between multimorbidity and loneliness, social exclusion and network size in a representative sample of Germans aged 40+
Summary
Among adults with chronic illnesses, having only a single illness condition is less common than multimorbidity [1]. One method to describe multimorbidity is to count the present illness conditions within a person [2]. The risk of mortality in people with multimorbidity is greater compared to those people with no such condition [6]. Multimorbidity is associated with reduced health-related quality of life at midlife in the general population [8]. Besides an individual financial hardship that is linked to having multiple diseases [9], multimorbidity is associated with a vast overall economic burden [10, Kristensen et al BMC Public Health (2019) 19:1383. The aim of this study was to examine the association between multimorbidity and (i) loneliness, (ii) social exclusion and (iii) network size, respectively
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