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Does Tobacco Smoking Increase Social Isolation? A Mendelian Randomization Study.
American Journal of Epidemiology
|November 20, 2023
Summary
Current smoking significantly increases social isolation in older English adults. This causal link, identified through genetic risk scores, highlights a critical public health concern for aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Social isolation is a growing concern among aging populations, potentially influenced by lifestyle factors.
- Understanding the causal relationships between behaviors like smoking and social outcomes is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal effect of current smoking on social isolation in older adults in England.
- To utilize a polygenic score for smoking cessation as an instrumental variable to address potential confounding factors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 7,008 older adults (European ancestry) from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (waves 1-9, 2002-2019).
- Two-stage least squares regression was employed, using a polygenic score for smoking cessation as an instrument for current smoking.
- Social isolation was measured on a scale of 0 to 5.
Main Results:
- A low polygenic score for smoking cessation was a significant predictor of current smoking.
- Current smoking was causally associated with a significant increase in social isolation (1.205 points).
- The association between smoking and social isolation was more pronounced in individuals with higher socioeconomic backgrounds.
Conclusions:
- Current smoking has a causal effect on increasing social isolation among older adults in England.
- Findings support the use of polygenic scores as valid instruments in epidemiological research.
- Public health strategies addressing smoking cessation may also mitigate social isolation in older populations.
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