Effects of Dementia on Perceived Daily Pain in Home-dwelling Elderly People: a Population-based Study

Background: Pain is a significant problem in the elderly, but the impact of dementia on perceived pain has not been studied in population-based study settings.

Objectives: To analyse the prevalence of daily pain and analgesic use among home-dwelling older people with and without dementia.

Design: A cross-sectional population-based survey.

Setting: Population of Kuopio city, Finland.

Subjects: 523 home-dwelling subjects aged 75 years and older.

Methods: Structured clinical examination and interview.

Results: Prevalence rates for any pain, any daily pain, pain every day interfering with routine activities, and daily pain at rest were significantly lower in those subjects with dementia (43%, 23%, 19% and 4%, respectively) compared to those subjects without dementia (69%, 40%, 36% and 13%, respectively). The subjects with dementia were less likely to use analgesics (33%) than the non-demented (47%).

Conclusion: Dementia was related to a lower prevalence of reported pain and analgesic use among home-dwelling elderly people.