The Impact of Loneliness and Cancer Diagnosis on Cognitive Impairment in Geriatric Patients

Abstract

experience or feeling that results from inadequacies in personal or social requirements. It principally originates from differences between the desired and actual social relations.1 Its prevalence increases linearly with age, and thus, is found in up to 50% of geriatric patients.2 Geriatric patients are more exposed to loneliness; hence, this subject has been studied more extensively in the geriatric patient group. Female geriatric patients have been documented to be at higher risk of loneliness due to factors such as being single/widowed, older age, low educational status, low household income, living alone, decreased quality of social interactions, poor health, and decreased functional status.3 In addition, the presence of depression has been associated with increased loneliness.4,5 Studies on the clinical effects of loneliness on geriatric patients have shown that loneliness is associated with mental health issues, reduced sleep quality, decreased quality of life, increased hospitalizations, and increased mortality.6-9 In addition, loneliness has been associated with cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease.10-13 J Oncol Sci.2020;6(2):65-70