Osteoarthritis Can Increase Your Risk for Social Isolation

A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests a connection between social isolation and osteoarthritis, reports EurekAlert . The condition could drive other issues that can elevate the risk of isolation, such as anxiety and depression, fear of moving around because of joint pain, physical inactivity, and being unable to take care of oneself. The researchers analyzed 1,973 participants about 73 years old from Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Britain. Half were women, and nearly 30 percent had arthritis with roughly 20 percent socially isolated at the beginning of the study. Non-isolated subjects were usually younger, had higher incomes and level of education, were more likely to be physically active, in less physical pain, and walked faster and were in better health overall. Thirteen percent of the 1,585 non-isolated participants had become socially isolated 12 to 18 months later. They also were in poorer health and had worse osteoarthritis, less physical activity, slower walking times, depression, and thinking/decision-making difficulties.