[Pain measurement in the elderly: a review].

This study revised and examined the theoretical and practical base of pain measurement in elderly persons through clinical studies and bibliographical reviews. We discussed the advantages and limitations of the ordinal instruments more frequently used in situations in which alterations characteristic of aging coexist, whose actions in feelings of pain have not been clarified yet. Moreover, we indicated the factors that intervene in the evaluation process of painful experiences leading to underestimation and inadequate control of pain in elderly persons.