The Relationship Between Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Narrative Review Ann Behav Med. 2024 Nov 16;58(12):779-788. doi: 10.1093/abm/kaae055. Emily J Ross 1, Mackenzie L Shanahan 2, Ellen Joseph 3, John M Reynolds 4, Daniel E Jimenez 5, Maria T Abreu 6, Adam W Carrico 1 |
Author information 1Florida International University Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Miami, FL, USA. 2Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX 77021, USA. 3GI Psychology. 4Louis Calder Memorial Library, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. 5Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami FL 33136, USA. 6University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Digestive Health and Liver Diseases. Abstract Background: There is clear evidence that loneliness and social isolation have profound health consequences. Documenting the associations of loneliness and social isolation with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms, disease severity, and treatment outcomes could meaningfully improve health and quality of life in patients with IBD. Purpose: The purpose of this narrative review was to synthesize the empirical evidence on the associations of loneliness and social isolation with IBD symptoms, disease severity, and treatment outcomes. Methods: Articles were identified through systematic database searches. Quantitative studies that enrolled patients with IBD were included if they examined one of the following outcomes: (a) loneliness or social isolation or (b) IBD-related symptoms, disease severity, or treatment outcomes. Results: We identified 1,816 articles after removing duplicates. Of the 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 15 were cross-sectional and 3 were longitudinal. Overall, studies found that loneliness was associated with greater disease activity, functional gastrointestinal symptoms, IBD illness stigma, depressive symptoms, daily IBD symptom burden, reduced resilience, and poorer quality of life. Social isolation was associated with higher prevalence of IBD hospitalizations, premature mortality, and depression. Conclusions: Findings suggest that loneliness and social isolation are associated with poorer health and quality of life in patients with IBD. Prospective cohort studies examining the biobehavioral mechanisms accounting for the associations of loneliness and social isolation with IBD-related outcomes are needed to guide the development of psychological interventions for individuals living with IBD. |
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