Prescription opioid use is concerning among older adults. Yet, few studies have examined the impact of opioid use on mortality by considering multimorbidity. Our sample includes 1586 older adults aged ≥65 recruited in primary care from 2011-2013 in a large health administrative region in Quebec and participating in the ESA-Services study, a longitudinal study on aging and health service use. An opioid prescription delivered in the 3 years prior to the baseline interview was identified using the provincial pharmaceutical drug registry. Mortality was ascertained from the vital statistics registry until 2015. The presence of chronic diseases was based on self-reported and physician diagnostic codes in health administrative databases. Physical multimorbidity was defined as ≥3 chronic physical conditions from either source. Physical/psychiatric multimorbidity was defined as ≥3 chronic physical conditions and ≥1 common mental disorder from either source. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between opioid use and mortality, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Interactions were tested for opioid use and multimorbidity. Older adults with physical multimorbidity using opioids were 1.76 (95%CI: 1.02-3.03) times more likely to die than those not using opioids. Those with physical/psychiatric multimorbidity using opioids were 2.27 (95%CI: 1.26-4.09) times more likely to die than those not using opioids. Older age, male sex, and single marital status significantly increased the risk of mortality. Overall, opioid use increases the risk of death in older adults with multimorbidity. The presence of mental disorders further increases the risk of death in older adults with physical multimorbidity using opioids.

Objective To examine associations between chronic pain conditions, pain level, and subclinical/clinical anxiety in community-dwelling older adults. Design Cross-sectional associations were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression to compare the odds of having subclinical/clinical anxiety by painful condition and pain level, controlling for confounders. Setting Participants were recruited in primary care waiting rooms to take part in the first wave of the Étude sur la Santé des Aînés (ESA)-Services study. Subjects 1608 older adults aged 65+. Methods Clinical anxiety was assessed using DSM-IV criteria. Subclinical anxiety was considered present when participants endorsed symptoms of anxiety but did not fulfill clinical diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder. Painful chronic conditions included arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, gastrointestinal problems, and headaches/migraines. Presence of painful conditions was assessed using combined self-report and health administrative data sources. Pain level was self-reported on an ordinal scale. Physical comorbidities were identified from ICD-9/10 diagnostic codes and depression was evaluated based on the DSM-IV. Results Sixty-six percent of home-living older adults suffer from a chronic pain condition. Older adults with clinical anxiety are more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal problems, headaches/migraines, and higher pain levels compared to those with no anxiety. Also, those with ≥3 painful conditions are at greater risk for subclinical and clinical anxiety compared to those with no painful condition. Conclusions These results emphasize the need for assessing anxiety symptoms in older adults with chronic pain conditions. Comprehensive management of comorbid chronic pain and psychopathology might help reduce the burden for patients and the healthcare system.

functional disability and mental disorders as potential mediators of the association between chronic physical conditions and suicidal ideation in community living older adults.

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