OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of pharmacological (PS) and nonpharmacological (NPS) pain management approaches used by older adults with persistent pain and to identify characteristics associated with use of these approaches.
DESIGN: Population-based cohort.
SETTING: Urban and suburban communities in the
Boston, Massachusetts, area.
PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred sixty-five adults aged 64
and older underwent a home interview and clinic examination. Those reporting any persistent pain were included in this analysis (N = 599).
MEASUREMENTS: All prescription and nonprescription
medications were recorded during the home interview.
NPS modalities for pain management were assessed using
a modification of the Pain Management Inventory. The
baseline assessment included extensive measures of pain,
health, and functioning.
RESULTS: More than one-third (37.5%) of participants
reported using both PS and NPS modalities. Thirtyone
percent reported use of NPS modalities alone, and
11.5% used PS modalities alone. NPS modalities (68.4%)
were reported more frequently than PS modalities (49%).
Women (odds ratio (OR) = 2.2, 95% confidence interval
(CI) = 1.26–3.82), individuals with knee osteoarthritis
(OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.6–5.9), and individuals with
moderate to severe pain (OR = 5.02, 95% CI = 2.23–11.28)
were more likely to report combined use of PS and NPS
modalities. Characteristics associated with individual
NPS modalities varied greatly.
CONCLUSION: Only one-third of older adults with persistent
pain reported pain management strategies consistent
with current guidelines. Further research is required to
understand reasons behind choices, barriers to adherence,
and the benefits of multiple modalities that older adults with
persistent pain use.
- persistent pain,
- chronic pain,
- pain,
- pain management,
- elderly,
- aged,
- complementary therapies,
- analgesics
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/suzanne_leveille/9/