Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41495686›Full record

SynthesisBMC geriatrics2026

Prevalence of social alienation in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yinglu Lin, Hanghang Wu, Yanxin Chen, Qi Li, Huafang Zhang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC geriatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Yinglu Lin *Department of Nursing, International School of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, China.
Hanghang Wu *Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
Yanxin ChenDepartment of Nursing, International School of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, China.
Qi LiDepartment of Nursing, International School of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, China.
Huafang ZhangDepartment of Nursing, International School of Medicine, the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of School of Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, 322000, China. wuyizhangyichi@zju.edu.cn.

Funding

Scientific Research Fund of National Health Commission/Key Project of Zhejiang Provincial Health Major Science and Technology Plan WKJ-ZJ-2433
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSocial Alienation (SA) is a global public health problem associated with chronic diseases. The reported prevalence of SA among community-dwelling older adults varied widely across different studies.

objectiveTo review the pooled prevalence of SA among community-dwelling older adults globally and provide evidence-based support for policymakers and health experts.

designA Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

methodsPubMed, Web of Science, Medline, EMBASE, EBSCO and the Cochrane Library were searched independently for relevant articles from inception to Oct 25, 2024 (published in English), and the literature screening process were performed between July 4, 2024 and Oct 25,2024. Studies on the prevalence of SA in community-dwelling older adults (age ≥ 60 years) were included in this analysis. The quality of studies included in the review was evaluated using the NOS and AHRQ scale for cohort and cross-section studies, respectively. Pooled effects of the prevalence of SA was calculated using random effect models. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and evaluated the quality of the included literature. If there was any disagreement, a third reviewer was necessary to settle the issue. Egger's Test was evaluated to address the publication bias. Heterogeneity was assessed using sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression. All statistical analyses were conducted using the Stata (version 17.0).

resultsA total of 24 studies with 64, 970 individuals were included and the pooled prevalence of SA among community-dwelling older adults was 31%. The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the overall prevalence of SA was 35.9% in females and 28.3% in males. The pooled prevalence of SA for those living alone and those not living alone was 35% and 22%, respectively. The overall estimates of SA prevalence in articles published after 2021 was 38%. Besides, the prevalence of SA was highest in China (44%).

conclusionThis meta-analysis revealed that nearly a third of community-dwelling older adults had SA (31%). The subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of SA was higher in females and in China. Besides, the prevalence of SA has increased recently, posing a threat to the physical and mental health of them. Thus, effective preventive measures, regular screening and timely interventions are needed to address this highly prevalent public health problem. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024615937 (PROSPERO). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There is no patient or public involvement, as this article is a meta-analysis.

Indexed as

Independent LivingSocial AlienationAgedFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceCommunity-Dwelling older adultsMeta-analysisPrevalenceSocial alienationSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41495686
PMCPMC12870303

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.