Loneliness is an emergent social phenomena related with a loss of vital capacities (Barthel Index), increased risk for developing disease as well as morbidity and mortality rate. Main Objective was to describe the prevalence of loneliness in elderly people (>60 yo) in a non- urban area. As secondary objective: study the relation between personal factors and the usage of health services. We conducted a transversal study in the field of primary care. People from 60 to 85 yo and users of the Primary Health Care Centre from Palafrugell were included. De Jong and Gierveld 11items scale was used to determine loneliness by phone interview. We obtained a random sample of 149 patients which was stratified by age and sex. Prevalence of loneliness in Palafrugell is 54.4%. Are considered risk factors for feeling lonely being between 71-85 yo over 60-70 yo (p>0.05; RP=1.41), having a poor perception of own state of health (p<0,05; RP=1,65), living alone (p<0,05; RP=1,48) and not having driving license (p<0.05; RP=1.48). Lonely people attend double emergency department (p<0.05, RP=1.98). Loneliness is a key health determinant on elderly people, one out of two feels lonely. Tendencies such as the relation between loneliness and the usage of health services are seen. Even though more studies in that direction are needed.

Albert Mas is an assistant and consulting doctor at Hospital de Palamós, a regional hospital in Spain. He also works with Sistema d’Emergències Mèdiques in pre-hospital medicine. He trained in family and community medicine in Girona before deciding to focus on emergency and pre-hospital care, mainly serving semi-rural areas in the northeast of Spain.