Does Persistent Pain Impact Older Adults' Physical Function
Among adults aged 65 years and older, persistent pain was associated with declines in physical function and well-being over 7 years.
Management of Chronic Pain In Older Adults
Investigators found that 38.7% of participants reported persistent pain, and 27.8% reported intermittent pain.
"Persistent pain" was defined as being bothered by pain in the last month in two consecutive annual interviews and "intermittent" pain was defined as bothersome pain in one interview only.
‘The study highlights the importance of access to effective treatment for persistent pain in older adults and the need for additional research in chronic pain to optimize quality of life.’
More than one-third of participants described pain in five or more sites. Over the subsequent 7 years, participants with persistent pain were more likely to experience declines in physical function (64% persistent pain, 59% intermittent pain, 57% no bothersome pain) and well-being (48% persistent pain, 45% intermittent pain, 44% no bothersome pain), but were not more likely to experience cognitive decline (25% persistent pain, 24% intermittent pain, 23% no bothersome pain).
Source: Eurekalert