Objective To validate the Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate – Portuguese in demented elderly and to analyze its measurement properties.Methods We evaluated 50 elderly with dementia, residing in a nursing home and with limited communication ability, when exposed to potentially painful situations. The tool was applied at two different moments. First, two interviewers applied it simultaneously, and the intensity of pain was asked based on the caregiver’s opinion. After 14 days, with no analgesic intervention, one of the interviewers applied it again.Results The sample comprised more females, aged over 80 years, with dementia due to Alzheimer, presenting musculoskeletal pain of moderate to severe intensity. The psychometric properties of the tool demonstrated appropriate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.827). The scale had excellent reproducibility, according to the intraclass correlation coefficient, and the tool has been duly validated.Conclusion The Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate – Portuguese had adequate measuring properties for use with elderly presenting limited communication.

Rev Dor. São Paulo, 2011 jul-set;12(3):209-14 RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O programa de autogerenciamento da dor (AGD) inclui educação sobre dor, treinamento para identificação e modificação de pensamentos negativos, estabelecimento de metas, exercícios de relaxamento e terapias físicas com o objetivo de reduzir a dor, melhorar o humor e o funcionamento psicossocial. O objetivo foi avaliar o desenho metodoló-gico e sua viabilidade em estudar a eficácia do AGD no tratamento da dor crônica em idosos e, secundariamente, avaliar sua eficácia comparando-o a um método educativo controle. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados os aspectos sociodemográficos, aspectos sobre a dor crônica e sua mensuração, impacto em funcionalidade, qualidade de vida, cognição e emoção utilizando-se: avaliação sociodemográfica, escala analógica visual (EAV) de dor, "GePrograma de autogerenciamento da dor crônica no idoso: estudo piloto* RESULTADOS:Foram incluídos 20 indivíduos (12 no G1/intervenção e 8 no G2/controle), todos do gênero feminino, com idade média 73,7 no G1 e 78,2 no G2. A intensidade média de dor ao início do estudo foi 18,6mm no G1, e 16,6mm no G2, quando utilizada a EAV e pontuação média de 21,8 no G1 e 19,7 no G2, utilizando-se o GPM. Ao final do estudo a intensidade média de dor segundo a EAV foi 16,7 mm no G1 (p = 0,342) e 41,2 mm no G2 (p = 0,006). A pontuação com o GPM foi 19,7 no G1 (p = 0,400) e 25,8 no G2 (p = 0,346). As pontuações pela escala Katz foi 5,8 no início e 5,9 no final do estudo no G1 com 5,4 no início e 5,6 no final no G2 (p = 0,198). Pela escala de Lawton houve melhora funcional estaticamente significante no G1 (p = 0,040), o mesmo não ocorrendo no G2 (p = 0,148) e a diferença entre os grupos foi significante (p = 0,032). Os valores médios obtidos com os tratamentos propostos pela SF-36 não diferiram significativamente entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: A intervenção de AGD melhorou a independência funcional do idoso, para as atividades instrumentais de vida diária, e demonstrou tendência em melhorar a intensidade da dor e qualidade de vida. Descritores: Dor, Idoso, Gerenciamento, Tratamento. SUMMARY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:The pain self-management program (PSM) includes education about pain, training to identify and change negative thinking, establishment of goals, relaxation exercises and physical therapies aiming at decreasing pain and improving mood and psychosocial functioning. This

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AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and factors associated in the elderly of the city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the variables of interest were investigated with instruments about the socio-economic profile, aspects of physical and professional activities, eating and sleeping habits. RESULTS: 312 elderly people were interviewed, with a prevalence of depressive symptoms of 30.5%. A higher prevalence of depressive symptoms were found in women, individuals older than 81 years, from the low class, living alone, physically inactive, and retired. In the adjusted analysis, the non-practice of physical activity, low sleep quality, and daily sleeping medication were statistically associated with the outcome. In contradiction to the literature, our results refute the well-established gender roles that preconize that males are more affected by physical impairment, while the females are more affected by psychological and psychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it is important to identify the prevalence of depressive symptoms in a population commonly affected by other diseases. In addition, characteristics associated with depression were detected, which can help prevent or improve depression in this age group.