Abstract Background Loneliness is common among older adults and linked to poor health outcomes. In the UK, around 1.4 million older people experience frequent loneliness, a number expected to rise. Despite its impact, loneliness is often unrecognised in acute hospitals. The UCLA Loneliness Scale Version 3 (UCLA-3) is a brief, validated 3-item tool with 77% sensitivity and 61% specificity, suitable for routine geriatric screening. Objectives · Assess feasibility of UCLA-3 for rapid loneliness screening. · Determine loneliness prevalence in older inpatients. · Explore integration of UCLA-3 into geriatric care pathways. Methods A cross-sectional study of 50 randomly selected patients, aged 65 and over on geriatric wards at MMH, between, 1st to 31st of May 2025 was conducted. The data which included UCLA-3 scores, completion time, demographics, and Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) status was collected by the resident doctors. Results Of the 50 participants, 41/50 (82%) completed the UCLA-3 in under 5 minutes, 7/50 (14%) between 5–15 minutes and 1/50(2%) took more than 15 minutes. 1/50(2%) patient’s questionnaire completion time was not recorded. · Moderate to severe frailty (CFS scores 6–9) was observed in 24/50 (48%) of the screened patients. · Loneliness (UCLA score 6–9) was identified in 16/50 (32%), while 34/40 (68%) were classified as not lonely (UCLA score 3–5). · Among those identified as lonely, 8/16 (50%) were moderate to severely frail. Conclusion The UCLA-3 is a quick, practical and reliable bedside screening tool for early detection of loneliness, which among frail older adults may be a modifiable risk factor. Recommendations: · Screen all elderly patients for loneliness due to high prevalence. · Incorporate UCLA-3 scoring routinely into Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments and discuss high UCLA-3 (score 6–9) during MDT meetings. · Refer all lonely individuals to NHS loneliness support and involve local charities for additional help.
Vinjamuri et al. (Sun,) studied this question.