Loneliness: An Overlooked Contributing Factor in Anorexia of Older Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease and Focal Point for Interventions to Enhance Nutritional Status—An Overview of Evidence and Areas of Suggested Research
Although research has shown that loneliness can contribute to anorexia in older non-ESRD (end-stage renal disease) populations, and the benefits of its mitigation with improving appetite, nutrient, and caloric intake, its implications for older patients with ESRD have been overlooked. This article provides an overview of evidence on the potential contributing role of loneliness in anorexia of older patients with ESRD, and loneliness as a focal point for interventions to help improve nutritional status.