Chronic Multisite Pain: Evaluation of a New Geriatric Syndrome

Overview

Journal Aging Clin Exp Res

Publisher Springer

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2018 Oct 27

PMID 30361952

Citations 23

Authors

Saurja Thapa

Robert H Shmerling

Jonathan F Bean

Yurun Cai

Suzanne G Leveille

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Chronic musculoskeletal pain is highly prevalent in the older adults, and individuals with musculoskeletal pain frequently report pain in two or more sites.

Aims: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of multisite pain in relation to other geriatric syndromes and to evaluate whether multisite pain may represent a distinct geriatric syndrome.

Methods: The MOBILIZE Boston Study is a population-based cohort study of older adults that enrolled 749 participants aged 70 and older. Persistent pain in the back and major joint areas was assessed using a joint pain questionnaire. Assessment of other geriatric syndromes included urinary incontinence, fall history, ADL disability, and frailty. A number of risk factors for geriatric syndromes were assessed.

Results: The prevalence of multisite pain was 40% in this population of older adults. Many participants had more than one geriatric syndrome, indicating substantial overlap in the prevalence of these conditions. Nearly half (48%) of participants with urinary incontinence or falls, 61% with ADL disability, and 49% of those with frailty also had multisite pain. Shared risk factors for established geriatric conditions were similarly distributed among the elderly population who had multisite pain. Demographic and health characteristics associated with multisite pain and other geriatric syndromes, included gender (female), depression, number of comorbid conditions, and mobility limitations.

Conclusion: Although prior studies have explored risk factors for chronic multisite pain, these findings reveal that multisite pain, often unexplained, bears many similarities to established geriatric syndromes. Multisite pain warrants further consideration as a unique geriatric syndrome.

Citing Articles

Pain Management for Older Adults Across the Cognitive Trajectory.

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Jones K, Merlin J JAMA Intern Med. 2024; 185(1):124-125.

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Associations among frailty conditions and pain indicators: Data from 22 356 European older adults.

Sentandreu-Mano T, Marques-Sule E, Deka P, Tomas J, Pintado L, Klompstra L Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2024; 24(12):1362-1369.

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Causal relationship between educational attainment and chronic pain: A Mendelian randomization study.

Liu S, Xu D Medicine (Baltimore). 2024; 103(37):e39301.

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Multisite Musculoskeletal Pain Is Associated with Long-Term Declined Physical Quality of Life and Knee-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults with or at Risk of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Alqahtani B, Alenazi A Medicina (Kaunas). 2024; 60(8).

PMID: 39202586 PMC: 11356253. DOI: 10.3390/medicina60081305.

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