Huaxin Si1, Cuili Wang2, Yaru Jin1, Xiaoyu Tian1, Xiaoxia Qiao3, Na Liu1, Lijuan Dong1. 1. School of Nursing, Shandong University, Jinan, China. 2. School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing, China. Electronic address: cwangpk@163.com. 3. School of Nursing, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain (CP) is prevalent among older adults in many Western countries and its prevalence, factors, and self-reported or objective measured health impacts have been well documented. However, there is limited information on these aspects among Chinese community-dwelling older adults. AIMS: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of CP and identify its associated factors as well as health impacts among older adults in China. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. SETTINGS: Community settings. PARTICIPANTS/ SUBJECTS: A total of 1219 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older. METHODS: Data on CP, sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, cognitive function, and physical activity, as well as self-reported outcomes (functional disability, depression, quality of sleep, and undernutrition) and objective measured physical function, were obtained. RESULTS: Among 1,219 participants, 41.1% reported CP, of whom 16.6% experienced moderate to severe pain. The risk of CP was higher among older women with comorbidity and with depression and lower among older adults with higher educational level as well as with adequate physical activity. CP had significant associations with inadequate physical activity, functional disability, depression, poorer quality of sleep, and undernutrition, as well as worsening physical performance, poorer standing balance, and chair stands. CONCLUSIONS: CP is a common problem among Chinese community-dwelling older adults, particularly among the most vulnerable subgroups, and has substantial impacts on self-reported functional disability, depression, poor quality of sleep, and undernutrition, as well as objective measured physical function. Therefore it is relevant for older adults to develop effective CP management programs.
BACKGROUND:Chronic pain (CP) is prevalent among older adults in many Western countries and its prevalence, factors, and self-reported or objective measured health impacts have been well documented. However, there is limited information on these aspects among Chinese community-dwelling older adults. AIMS: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of CP and identify its associated factors as well as health impacts among older adults in China. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design. SETTINGS: Community settings. PARTICIPANTS/ SUBJECTS: A total of 1219 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older. METHODS: Data on CP, sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, cognitive function, and physical activity, as well as self-reported outcomes (functional disability, depression, quality of sleep, and undernutrition) and objective measured physical function, were obtained. RESULTS: Among 1,219 participants, 41.1% reported CP, of whom 16.6% experienced moderate to severe pain. The risk of CP was higher among older women with comorbidity and with depression and lower among older adults with higher educational level as well as with adequate physical activity. CP had significant associations with inadequate physical activity, functional disability, depression, poorer quality of sleep, and undernutrition, as well as worsening physical performance, poorer standing balance, and chair stands. CONCLUSIONS:CP is a common problem among Chinese community-dwelling older adults, particularly among the most vulnerable subgroups, and has substantial impacts on self-reported functional disability, depression, poor quality of sleep, and undernutrition, as well as objective measured physical function. Therefore it is relevant for older adults to develop effective CP management programs.