Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41606556›Full record

SynthesisBMC public health2026

Social isolation and loneliness effects on medication adherence in older adults: perspectives from a systematic review.

Alessandra Improta, Sofia Taborri, Noemi Giannetta, Sara Dionisi, Emanuele Di Simone, Erika Renzi, Azzurra Massimi, Aurora De Leo, Nicolò Panattoni, Giovanni Battista Orsi and 4 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
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

14 authors.

Alessandra ImprotaDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0001-0668-0321
Sofia TaborriDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-1381-7949
Noemi GiannettaDepartmental Faculty of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences (UniCamillus), Rome, 00131, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4575-1898
Sara DionisiNursing, Technical, Rehabilitation Department, DaTeR Local Health Unit of Bologna, Bologna, 40124, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7933-8490
Emanuele Di SimoneDepartment of Medical, Movement and Wellbeing Sciences, Parthenope University of Naples, Naples, 80133, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6373-8163
Erika RenziDepartment of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9760-0245
Azzurra MassimiDepartment of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6612-2949
Aurora De LeoNursing Research Unit IFO, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1519-6299
Nicolò PanattoniNursing Research Unit IFO, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, 00144, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4162-937X
Giovanni Battista OrsiDepartment of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9246-6216
Fabio FabbianDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, 44121, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5189-3695
Gloria LiquoriUnit of First Aid, Emergency Department, San Filippo Neri Hospital, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8689-3740
Leandro AmatoDepartment of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133, Italy. leandro.amato@uniroma1.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-9934-242X
Marco Di MuzioDepartment of Wellbeing, Health and Environmental Sustainability, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2641-4044

Funding

Sapienza Università di Roma RM123188E8E68581
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDemographic, social, and familial changes have led to an increase in the lack of family and support systems, which is particularly relevant for older adults who may be at risk for low medication adherence. This study examines the relationship between social isolation and/or loneliness and medication adherence in older adults, also identifying the measurement tools used to explore this relationship.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines, searching databases including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EBSCO. The quality of evidence was assessed following the GRADE approach, integrated with the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools, NOS for cohort studies and AXIS tools.

resultsIn the final synthesis, we included five articles. According to the findings of the study, social isolation and loneliness may negatively affect medication adherence in older adults. Loneliness and social support may have a mediating role in the relationship between social isolation and medication adherence.

conclusionsLoneliness and social isolation could influence medication adherence in older patients, especially in managing chronic conditions, but more robust research is needed to confirm the associations between social isolation, loneliness, and medication adherence. However, addressing loneliness and social isolation may be critical to improving medication management among older adults.

Indexed as

Drug MonitoringLonelinessMedication AdherenceSocial IsolationAgedHumansSocial SupportLonelinessMedication adherenceOlder adultsSocial isolationSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41606556
PMCPMC12896091

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.