Validation of Types of Body Pain Areas and Related Factors in the Korean Aged Using Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find a nursing intervention plan by classifying the body pain areas of the Korean aged and analyzing related factors. Methods: This study performed the latent class analysis, cross-analysis, and one-way ANOVA using the SPSS 25, M-plus 7.0 program on 4,388 older adults aged 65 or over using the data from the 2020 Aging Research Panel. Results: As a result of the Latent Class Analysis, participants divided into four groups. Group 1 was the 'shoulder and low back pain group' with high shoulder and back pain, group 2 was the 'upper body pain group' with severe pain in the arms, wrists and fingers and chest, group 3 was the 'lower pain focused group' with high pain in the legs and knees, and finally, group 4 was the 'general low pain group' with low pain overall. The result of the study shows that the group that did not exercise regularly, the female group, and the low socioeconomic status group have more pain in general. The upper body central pain group showed a low level of life satisfaction. Conclusion: This study discusses various nursing interventions for the prevention of chronic pain, especially for the aged female group who has diverse body pain areas, the aged with low socioeconomic status, and the aged who do not exercise.