Ann Geriatr Med Res.  2024 Mar;28(1):27-35. 10.4235/agmr.23.0136.

Bidirectional Longitudinal Association between Back Pain and Loneliness in Later Life: Evidence from English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

• Suzuki Y
• Suzuki T
• Takagi M
• Murakami M
• Ikeda T

• KMID: 2553847
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4235/agmr.23.0136

Abstract

Background
This study examined the bidirectional and temporal-ordinal relationship between loneliness and back pain.
Methods
Data from 7,730 participants in waves 6 (2012–2013), 7 (2014–2015), and 8 (2016–2017) of the national English Longitudinal Study of Ageing were analyzed. Back pain was graded on a scale of 0–10 (0, no discomfort; 10, unbearable pain). Loneliness was measured using the Revised University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. A targeted minimum loss-based estimator was used to examine the bidirectional longitudinal associations between back pain and loneliness.
Results
No loneliness in waves 6 and 7 (relative risk [RR]=0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61–0.94), no loneliness in wave 6 but loneliness in wave 7 (RR=0.58; 95% CI, 0.50–0.68), and loneliness in wave 6 but not in wave 7 (RR=0.69; 95% CI, 0.57–0.86) were associated with significant risk reductions of back pain in wave 8 compared with the scenario of loneliness in waves 6 and 7. Mild back pain in wave 6 but moderate back pain (RR=0.55; 95% CI, 0.35–0.86) or severe back pain in wave 7 (RR=0.49; 95% CI, 0.34–0.72) showed a significant risk reduction of loneliness in wave 8 compared with severe back pain in waves 6 and 7.
Conclusion
Loneliness may be a risk factor for back pain, and back pain may be a risk factor for loneliness. The results of this study will inform the development of more effective interventions for loneliness and back pain.

Keyword

Back pain; Loneliness; Longitudinal studies