Predictors of pain in general ageing populations: results from a multi-country analysis based on ATHLOS harmonized database

Abstract

Background: Pain is a common symptom, often associated with neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, and experienced especially by females and by older people, and with increasing trends in general populations. Different risk factors for pain have been identified, but generally from studies with limited samples and a limited number of candidate predictors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictors of pain from a large set of variables and respondents. Methods: We used part of the harmonized dataset of ATHLOS project, selecting studies and waves with a longitudinal course, and in which pain was absent at baseline and with no missing at follow-up. Predictors were selected based on missing distribution and univariable association with pain, and were selected from the following domains: Sociodemographic and economic characteristics, Lifestyle and health behaviours, Health status and functional limitations, Diseases, Physical measures, Cognition, personality and other psychological measures, and Social environment. Hierarchical logistic regression models were then applied to identify significant predictors. Results: A total of 13,545 subjects were included of whom 5348 (39.5%) developed pain between baseline and the average 5.2 years' follow-up. Baseline risk factors for pain were female gender (OR 1.34), engaging in vigorous exercise (OR 2.51), being obese (OR 1.36) and suffering from the loss of a close person (OR 1.88) whereas follow-up risk factors were low energy levels/fatigue (1.93), difficulties with walking (1.69), self-rated health referred as poor (OR 2.20) or average to moderate (OR 1.57) and presence of sleep problems (1.80).

Patterns of Healthcare Expenditures among Older United States Adults with Pain and Different Perceived Health Status

“…One important factor that may be associated with pain is the perceived health status of older adults. For example, a recent multi-country analysis found that, compared to good health, average-to-moderate self-rated health (odds ratio = 1.57) and poor health (odds ratio = 2.20) were significant predictors of pain among older adults [ 14 ].…”

Assessment of opioid administration patterns following lower extremity fracture among opioid-naïve inpatients: retrospective multicenter cohort study

“…Likewise, opioid use was common even for medical admissions with fewer days of hospital stay and younger ages. Conversely, high-dose MME/per day was not common among older patients, females, 24 and patients with lower leg fractures, and high CCI score as those patients usually demanded a higher daily MME/per day than their counterparts due to their pain severity levels. 25 The variations of opioid use among lower extremity fracture inpatients could be attributed to discordance in pain intensity, and ability to manage pain among orthopedic inpatients.…”

A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Study of Pain among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Thailand

“…In the 2008 National Health and Wellness Survey in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain, the prevalence of moderate or severe pain in the adult population in the past month was 16.6% [6]. In a multicountry study among older adults, 39.5% developed pain between baseline and 5 years' followup [2]. In a national study that included people aged 60 and older in China, 32.5% reported having pain [7].…”

“…Te population in Tailand is rapidly ageing, increasing the health burden of older adults [1]. In the general population, pain is a common symptom, comorbid with clinical conditions, and the prevalence ranges from 10% to 60% [2]. Pain has been redefned by the International Association for the Study of Pain as "An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage [3]."…”