Loneliness is a driver of systemic inflammation and chronic health issues.
"How loneliness is a driver of inflammation and chronic health issues." (said at 0:25:23)
The assertion that loneliness drives systemic inflammation is supported by observational evidence for specific inflammatory markers, but requires qualification regarding causality and marker specificity. A systematic review and meta-analysis found a statistically significant association between loneliness and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in fully adjusted analyses, but found no association between loneliness and C-reactive protein (CRP) or fibrinogen (PMID: 32092313). Individual cohort data similarly demonstrate an independent association between higher loneliness and elevated IL-6 levels (PMID: 33932766). However, because the body of evidence is primarily observational and shows inconsistent links across different systemic inflammatory biomarkers, describing loneliness as a clear causal driver overstates the strength and consistency of the current scientific literature.
- context: The association between loneliness, social isolation and inflammation: A systematic review… (Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 2020)
"Results indicate that social isolation and loneliness could be linked with systemic inflammation, but more robust methodology is needed to confirm these associations and unpack mechanisms." (abstract, conclusions, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi) - supports: Endocrine and immunomodulatory effects of social isolation and loneliness across adulthood… (Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021)
"On the other hand, higher loneliness was associated with higher IL-6 levels, above and beyond our measures of social isolation." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi)