Healthy Aging in Relation to Chronic Pain and Quality of Life in Europe

Leadley, Regina M.; Armstrong, Nigel; Reid, Kimberly J.; Allen, Alex; Misso, Kate; Kleijnen, Jos

doi:10.1111/papr.12125

Cited by 94 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…7,13,22,39,41,51 Such relationships have been found both in chronic pain cohorts and in population-based studies. 4,32,43 In addition, systematic reviews have confirmed evidence for a link between pain and low HRQoL. 32,37 In a systematic review, Leadly et al 32 noted a lack of studies concerning the elderly population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…4,32,43 In addition, systematic reviews have confirmed evidence for a link between pain and low HRQoL. 32,37 In a systematic review, Leadly et al 32 noted a lack of studies concerning the elderly population. According to the present results, a relationship between chronic pain and low HRQoL is also present in the elderly population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…10 The European Commission has the goal to increase the average number of healthy life years in the European Union, a goal that requires addressing chronic pain in the elderly. 32 There is no consensus with respect to the relationships between prevalence of chronic pain and age; some studies note an increase in pain with age, some a decrease with age, some a peak in middle age, and some found no age dependence. 15,19,29,33 In addition, a systematic review and a later study reported that only the prevalence of severe pain conditions increased with age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…32 This is the first report of an epidemiologic study aimed at investigating the elderly population with respect to the prevalence, intensity, variability, and frequency of pain and how such pain characteristics correlate with sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, activities, and health. To this end, this study quantifies societal costs for chronic Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Severity of chronic pain in an elderly population in Sweden—impact on costs and quality of life

Bernfort

Gerdle

Rahmqvist

et al. 2015

Pain

105

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Chronic pain is associated with large societal costs, but few studies have investigated the total costs of chronic pain with respect to elderly subjects. The elderly usually require informal care, care performed by municipalities, and care for chronic diseases, all factors that can result in extensive financial burdens on elderly patients, their families, and the social services provided by the state. This study aims to quantify the societal cost of chronic pain in people of age 65 years and older and to assess the impact of chronic pain on quality of life. This study collected data from 3 registers concerning health care, drugs, and municipal services and from 2 surveys. A postal questionnaire was used to collect data from a stratified sample of the population 65 years and older in southeastern Sweden. The questionnaire addressed pain intensity and quality of life variables (EQ-5D). A second postal questionnaire was used to collect data from relatives of the elderly patients suffering from chronic pain. A total of 66.5% valid responses of the 10,000 subjects was achieved; 76.9% were categorized as having no or mild chronic pain, 18.9% as having moderate chronic pain, and 4.2% as having severe chronic pain. Consumed resources increased with the severity of chronic pain. Clear differences in EQ-5D were found with respect to the severity of pain. This study found an association between resource use and severity of chronic pain in elderly subjects: the more severe the chronic pain, the more extensive (and expensive) the use of resources.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Severity of chronic pain in an elderly population in Sweden—impact on costs and quality of life

Bernfort

Gerdle

Rahmqvist

et al. 2015

Pain

105

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A systematic literature review by Kleijnen Systematic Reviews Ltd, commissioned by Grünenthal GmbH, found a clear correlation between the severity of pain and reduced quality of life (QoL) 23 . Furthermore, it revealed that the prevention and treatment of chronic pain are likely to improve QoL and could increase healthy lifespan by 2 years, which is one objective of the European Union's Active and Healthy Ageing Partnership project.…”

Section: Healthy Ageingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing chronic pain in elderly patients requires a CHANGE of approach

Kress

Ahlbeck

Aldington

et al. 2014

Current Medical Research and Opinion

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In many countries, the number of elderly people has increased rapidly in recent years and this is expected to continue; it has been predicted that almost a quarter of the population in the European Union will be over 65 years of age in 2035. Many elderly people suffer from chronic pain but it is regularly under-treated, partly because managing these patients is often complex. This paper outlines the extent of untreated pain in this population and the consequent reduction in quality of life, before articulating the reasons why it is poorly or inaccurately diagnosed. These include the patient's unwillingness to complain, atypical pain presentations, multiple morbidities and cognitive decline. Successful pain management depends upon accurate diagnosis, which is based upon a complete history and thorough physical examination, as well as an assessment of psychosocial functioning. Poor physician/patient communication can be improved by using standardized instruments to establish individual treatment targets and measure progress towards them. User-friendly observational instruments may be valuable for patients with dementia. In line with the widely accepted biopsychosocial model of pain, a multidisciplinary approach to pain management is recommended, with pharmacotherapy, psychological support, physical rehabilitation and interventional procedures available if required. Declining organ function and other physiological changes require lower initial doses of analgesics and less frequent dosing intervals, and the physician must be aware of all medications that the patient is taking, in order to avoid drug/drug interactions. Non-adherence to treatment is common, and various strategies can be employed to improve it; involving the elderly patient's caregivers and family, using medication systems such as pill-boxes, or even sending text messages. In the long term, the teaching of pain medicine needs to be improved -particularly in the use of opioids -both at undergraduate level and after qualification.

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Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

Geneen

Moore

Clarke

et al. 2017

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

630

415

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The quality of the evidence examining physical activity and exercise for chronic pain is low. This is largely due to small sample sizes and potentially underpowered studies. A number of studies had adequately long interventions, but planned follow-up was limited to less than one year in all but six reviews.There were some favourable effects in reduction in pain severity and improved physical function, though these were mostly of small-to-moderate effect, and were not consistent across the reviews. There were variable effects for psychological function and quality of life.The available evidence suggests physical activity and exercise is an intervention with few adverse events that may improve pain severity and physical function, and consequent quality of life. However, further research is required and should focus on increasing participant numbers, including participants with a broader spectrum of pain severity, and lengthening both the intervention itself, and the follow-up period.

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Healthy Aging in Relation to Chronic Pain and Quality of Life in Europe

Cited by 94 publications

References 31 publications

Severity of chronic pain in an elderly population in Sweden—impact on costs and quality of life

Severity of chronic pain in an elderly population in Sweden—impact on costs and quality of life

Managing chronic pain in elderly patients requires a CHANGE of approach

Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

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