Marziali, Megan E.Armstrong, Heather L.Closson, KalyshaMcLinden, TaylorWang, LuBarath, JustinHarris, MarianneRoth, Eric A.Moore, David M.Lachowsky, Nathan J.Hogg, Robert S.Sang, Jordan M.Card, Kiffer G.2022-03-082022-03-0820202020Marzialia, M. E., Armstrong, H. L., Closson, K., McLinden, T., Wang, L., Barath, J., Harris, M., Roth, E. A., Moore, D. M., Lachowsky, N. J., Hogg, R. S., Sang, J. M., & Card, K. G. (2020). “Loneliness and self-rated physical health among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada.” Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 74(7), 553-559. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2019-213566https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2019-213566http://hdl.handle.net/1828/13789We would like to thank the Momentum Health Study participants, office staff and community advisory board as well as our community partners: Health Initiative for Men, YouthCO HIV & Hep C Society, and Positive Living Society of BC.Background: Due to stigma and discrimination, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) potentially carry a heightened burden of loneliness. This analysis investigates loneliness among gbMSM and its relationship with self-rated physical health, along with the mediating effect of depression. Methods: Participants were recruited using respondent driven sampling into the Momentum Health Study (February 2012–February 2015) with follow-up visits occurring every 6 months till February 2018. Using computer-assisted self-interviews, measures of loneliness were assessed using a 6-item Loneliness Scale for Emotional and Social Loneliness (lonely vs not lonely). Current physical health was self-assessed (poor, fair, good, very good or excellent). A multivariable generalised linearmixed model with a logit link function was used to examine the relationship between loneliness and self-rated physical health. We further investigated the mediating effect of depressive symptomatology on this relationship via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Of the 770 participants included, we found that 61% (n=471) experienced loneliness at baseline. Of the 674 (88%) who reported good/very good/excellent physical health, 59% (n=391) reported loneliness, compared with 87% (n=80) of those in poor/fair selfrated physical health who reported feeling lonely. After adjustment for confounding, loneliness was associated with poor self-rated physical health (adjusted OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.13 to 2.60). Depressive symptomatology was found to partially mediate this relationship. Conclusion: There may be a need for the integration of social, mental and physical health programming, targeted towards gbMSM, to alleviate the degree of loneliness experienced and its co-occurrence with poor self-rated physical health.enCanadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR)ArticleSchool of Public Health and Social Policy