Digestive Issues Can Make Elderly More Prone To Loneliness, Depression

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Individuals with a digestive disease were more inclined to describe their mental health as 'poor' or 'fair' in comparison to those who did not have a digestive disease, stated study published in the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. ().

Researchers from the University of Michigan in the US referred to loneliness as the subjective distressed feeling of being alone or lacking companionship. The correlation between loneliness and depression is well established. While life expectancy rates for elderly are rising due to advancements in healthcare, many report living with a digestive disease of some kind. The researchers said in recent years, there has been a greater emphasis among health providers in detecting why so many people are developing digestive diseases.

Recognizing the Importance of Psychosocial Factors in Patient Wellbeing

"As physicians, it's important for us to pay attention to psychosocial factors involved in the lives of our patients, but they often go overlooked," said Shirley Ann Cohen-Mekelburg, gastroenterologist at Michigan Medicine."These factors have the potential to significantly impact gastrointestinal health, and they also play a crucial role in the overall wellbeing of our patients," she added.To examine the rates of loneliness, depression and social isolation in older adults both with and without digestive diseases, the team analysed the data from 2008 to 2016 involving 20,000 individuals in the US who are 50 years and older, as well as their spouses.

‘Among elderly respondents, those with digestive diseases had higher rates of loneliness (60.4% vs. 55.6%), severe depression (12.7% vs. 7.5%), and social isolation (8.9% vs. 8.7%) compared to those without digestive diseases. #digestivehealth #mentalhealth #depression #elderly’

Among patients with a digestive disease, loneliness, as well as moderate to severe depression, were associated with greater odds of self-reporting 'poor-or-fair' health, Cohen-Mekelburg said. 鐈ope these findings eventually empower gastroenterologists to screen patients for depression and loneliness. By doing this, providers can better establish care pathways for mental health treatment for their patients, which is hugely important," Cohen-Mekelburg said.

Reference:

1. Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms are High Among Older Adults with Digestive Disease and associated with Lower Perceived Health - (https:pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37689253/)

Source: IANS