Factors associated with social isolation in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

Systematic evaluation of factors influencing social isolation in stroke patients for further intervention studies.

Methods

We searched for observational studies in 7 databases from inception to January 2024. Two researchers performed literature screening, quality assessment, and data extraction independently according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and meta-analysis was performed using R4.3.1 software.

Results

A total of 10 studies with a total sample size of 4162 cases were included. Meta-analysis showed that social isolation in stroke patients was associated with economic status (β’=-0.21, 95%CI:0.39, -0.02; P=0.0261), degree of education (β’=-0.16, 95%CI:0.29, -0.03; P=0.0171), marital status (β’=0.13, 95%CI:0.04, 0.23; P=0.0069), social support (β’=-0.37, 95%CI;-0.50, -0.25; P<0.0001), stigma(β’=0.48, 95%CI:0.25, 0.72; P<0.0001), symptom burden (β’=0.25, 95%CI:0.18, 0.31; P<0.0001), course of disease (β’=0.23, 95%CI:0.08, 0.37; P=0.0021), combined chronic diseases (β’=0.14, 95%CI:0.04, 0.24; P=0.0057), and limb function (β’=0.33, 95%CI:0.23, 0.43; P<0.0001) were associated. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses showed that disease stage and sample source were sources of heterogeneity.

Conclusion

There are many factors influencing the social isolation of stroke patients, and healthcare professionals should take timely and targeted measures to prevent and intervene effectively, with a view to improving the social participation of stroke patients and reducing their social isolation.