Academic Journal
Social isolation and loneliness associate with early menopause and mortality in women: a UK Biobank cohort study.
| Τίτλος: | Social isolation and loneliness associate with early menopause and mortality in women: a UK Biobank cohort study. |
|---|---|
| Συγγραφείς: | Wang Y; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Qi Y; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Cao Z; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Xu K; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Xia R; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Zhao S; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Cui L; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; The Second Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Wei D; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Zhao H; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China., Tang S; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China. sy_tang05@outlook.com., Qin Y; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. qinyingying1006@163.com.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. qinyingying1006@163.com.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. qinyingying1006@163.com.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. qinyingying1006@163.com.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. qinyingying1006@163.com.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. qinyingying1006@163.com.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. qinyingying1006@163.com.; Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250021, Shandong, China. qinyingying1006@163.com., Guo T; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. gtlyp2008@126.com.; National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. gtlyp2008@126.com.; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. gtlyp2008@126.com.; Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. gtlyp2008@126.com.; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. gtlyp2008@126.com.; Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Research and Birth Defect Prevention, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. gtlyp2008@126.com.; Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No.2021RU001, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China. gtlyp2008@126.com. |
| Πηγή: | BMC medicine [BMC Med] 2026 Jun 26; Vol. 24 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jun 26. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101190723 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1741-7015 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 17417015 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Med Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: [London] : BioMed Central, 2003- |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Loneliness*/psychology , Social Isolation*/psychology , Menopause, Premature*/psychology , Mortality*, United Kingdom/epidemiology ; Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Adult ; UK Biobank ; Biological Specimen Banks ; Menopause |
| Περίληψη: | Background: Reproductive aging is an emerging public health priority amid demographic shifts. Early menopause (EM), indicative of accelerated reproductive aging, is associated with an elevated risk of premature mortality. While social isolation (SI) and loneliness (LO) are established psychosocial determinants of health, their associations with EM and their combined effects with menopausal status on mortality risk remain unquantified. This study investigated the associations of SI and LO with EM and all-cause mortality. Methods: This study included 79,578 Caucasian women from the UK Biobank cohort, of whom 6,778 experienced EM (menopause at age 40-45) and 72,800 experienced normal menopause (NM, age 46-55). SI (score: 0, 1, ≥2) was derived from three indicators: living arrangement, frequency of social contact, and participation in social activities; LO (score 0-2) was assessed based on self-reported loneliness and frequency of confiding in someone close. Multivariable-adjusted models were used to evaluate the odds of EM. All-cause mortality risk was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models, stratified by menopause status. Results: Higher levels of SI and LO were independently associated with an increased prevalence of EM (e.g. SI ≥ 2: OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.00-1.20; LO = 2: OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.02-1.25). Critically, the detrimental impact of social adversity on survival was significantly greater in women with EM compared to those with NM. After full adjustment, women with EM and SI index ≥ 2 had a 55% increased mortality risk (HR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.21-1.99), whereas the risk increase for women with NM was 17% (HR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.07-1.28). A similar pattern was observed for LO (e.g. LO = 2, EM: HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.07-1.88 vs. NM: HR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.02-1.27). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier curves showed a progressively wider survival gap between EM and NM as SI/LO levels increased. Lower SI and LO were associated with lower EM-related excess mortality. Conclusions: SI and LO were associated with EM and premature mortality. Women with EM are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of social adversity. Integrating psychological and social support into menopause care is essential, and reducing SI and LO may promote healthier aging. Trial Registration: NA. (© 2026. The Author(s).) |
| Competing Interests: | Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This research used data from UK Biobank (Application Number: 77336), which received ethical approval from the North West Multi-center Research Ethics Committee. All participants provided written informed consent for data use in health-related research. As this study involved secondary analysis of anonymized UK Biobank data, no additional ethics approval was required. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. |
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| Grant Information: | 2023QNTD004 Fundamental Research Funds of Shandong University; 82125014 National Natural Science Foundation of China; 82371646 National Natural Science Foundation of China; 2022YFC2703800 National Key Research and Development Program of China |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Early menopause; Loneliness; Mortality; Reproductive health; Social isolation; UK Biobank |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260626 Date Completed: 20260916 Latest Revision: 20260918 |
| Update Code: | 20260918 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC13580006 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12916-026-05027-z |
| PMID: | 42363200 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
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