Impact of social network composition on cognitive decline: Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria (digiDEM Bayern).

<h4>Background</h4>Currently, there is no curative treatment for dementia. The implementation of preventive measures is of great importance. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and address individual and modifiable risk factors. Social isolation, defined through social networks, is a...

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Main Authors: Lisa Laininger, Nikolas Dietzel, Elmar Graessel, Hans-Ulrich Prokosch, Peter L Kolominsky-Rabas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306447
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author Lisa Laininger
Nikolas Dietzel
Elmar Graessel
Hans-Ulrich Prokosch
Peter L Kolominsky-Rabas
author_facet Lisa Laininger
Nikolas Dietzel
Elmar Graessel
Hans-Ulrich Prokosch
Peter L Kolominsky-Rabas
author_sort Lisa Laininger
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Currently, there is no curative treatment for dementia. The implementation of preventive measures is of great importance. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and address individual and modifiable risk factors. Social isolation, defined through social networks, is a factor that may influence the onset and progression of the disease. The networks of older people are mostly composed of either family or friends. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of social isolation and network composition on cognition over the course of 12 months in people with cognitive impairment.<h4>Methods</h4>Data basis is the multicentre, prospective, longitudinal register study 'Digital Dementia Registery Bavaria-digiDEM Bayern'. The degree of social isolation was assessed using the Lubben Social Network Scale- Revised (LSNS-R) and the degree of cognitive impairment using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), conducted at baseline and after 12 months. Data were analysed using pre-post ANCOVA, adjusted for baseline MMSE, age, gender, education, living situation and Barthel-Index.<h4>Results</h4>106 subjects (78.9 ± 8.2 years; 66% female) were included in the analysis. The mean MMSE score at baseline was 24.3 (SD = 3.6). Within the friendship subscore, risk for social isolation was highly prevalent (42.5%). Though, there was no difference between individuals with higher/ lower risk of social isolation within the friendship-network after adjusting for common risk factors in cognitive decline over time, F (1,98) = .046, p = .831, partial η2 = .000.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The results of this study showed that the risk of social isolation from friends is very high among people with cognitive impairment. However, social isolation does not appear to have a bearing influence on the course of cognition. Nevertheless, it is important for people with cognitive impairment to promote and maintain close social contacts with friends.
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spelling doaj-art-c784581ef0ac4f43b84cdeea140618b22024-11-10T05:31:10ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-01197e030644710.1371/journal.pone.0306447Impact of social network composition on cognitive decline: Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria (digiDEM Bayern).Lisa LainingerNikolas DietzelElmar GraesselHans-Ulrich ProkoschPeter L Kolominsky-Rabas<h4>Background</h4>Currently, there is no curative treatment for dementia. The implementation of preventive measures is of great importance. Therefore, it is necessary to identify and address individual and modifiable risk factors. Social isolation, defined through social networks, is a factor that may influence the onset and progression of the disease. The networks of older people are mostly composed of either family or friends. The aim of this study is to examine the influence of social isolation and network composition on cognition over the course of 12 months in people with cognitive impairment.<h4>Methods</h4>Data basis is the multicentre, prospective, longitudinal register study 'Digital Dementia Registery Bavaria-digiDEM Bayern'. The degree of social isolation was assessed using the Lubben Social Network Scale- Revised (LSNS-R) and the degree of cognitive impairment using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), conducted at baseline and after 12 months. Data were analysed using pre-post ANCOVA, adjusted for baseline MMSE, age, gender, education, living situation and Barthel-Index.<h4>Results</h4>106 subjects (78.9 ± 8.2 years; 66% female) were included in the analysis. The mean MMSE score at baseline was 24.3 (SD = 3.6). Within the friendship subscore, risk for social isolation was highly prevalent (42.5%). Though, there was no difference between individuals with higher/ lower risk of social isolation within the friendship-network after adjusting for common risk factors in cognitive decline over time, F (1,98) = .046, p = .831, partial η2 = .000.<h4>Conclusion</h4>The results of this study showed that the risk of social isolation from friends is very high among people with cognitive impairment. However, social isolation does not appear to have a bearing influence on the course of cognition. Nevertheless, it is important for people with cognitive impairment to promote and maintain close social contacts with friends.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306447
spellingShingle Lisa Laininger
Nikolas Dietzel
Elmar Graessel
Hans-Ulrich Prokosch
Peter L Kolominsky-Rabas
Impact of social network composition on cognitive decline: Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria (digiDEM Bayern).
PLoS ONE
title Impact of social network composition on cognitive decline: Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria (digiDEM Bayern).
title_full Impact of social network composition on cognitive decline: Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria (digiDEM Bayern).
title_fullStr Impact of social network composition on cognitive decline: Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria (digiDEM Bayern).
title_full_unstemmed Impact of social network composition on cognitive decline: Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria (digiDEM Bayern).
title_short Impact of social network composition on cognitive decline: Digital Dementia Registry Bavaria (digiDEM Bayern).
title_sort impact of social network composition on cognitive decline digital dementia registry bavaria digidem bayern
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0306447
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