Loneliness as an Interface Between Alzheimer's Disease and Suicidal Behaviour: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Loneliness is a growing public health concern, impacting mental well-being across demographics.
• It is associated with increased risks of anxiety, depression, and despair.
• The disconnect in a hyper-connected world exacerbates feelings of isolation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between loneliness, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and suicidal behavior.
• To explore loneliness as a potential interface between AD and suicidal behavior.
• To identify key factors associated with loneliness in this context.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, conducted dichotomously.
• Two separate systematic reviews: one on loneliness and AD, the other on loneliness and suicidal behavior.
• Meta-analysis and meta-analytic factor analysis to examine the interface between AD and suicidal behavior via loneliness.

Main Results:

• Loneliness is significantly associated with Alzheimer's disease (OR=1.89).
• Loneliness shows strong associations with suicidal ideation (OR=2.17), planning (OR=2.36), attempts (OR=2.54), and completed suicide (OR=4.9).
• Entrapment, hopelessness, insomnia, and stress significantly correlate with loneliness, particularly at the interface of AD and suicidal behavior.

Conclusions:

• Loneliness is a comorbid factor linking Alzheimer's disease and suicide.
• Monitoring stress, insomnia, entrapment, and hopelessness is vital for preventing AD and suicide.
• The triad of loneliness, hopelessness, and insomnia represents a significant risk profile.