The impact of age on a patient's perception of pain and ways it can be managed.
The elderly population is one of the fastest growing groups in the United States. Pain is a significant problem for community-dwelling elders and for elderly persons in residential facilities. Numerous barriers exist to effective pain management in the elderly. Clinicians, however, can overcome many of these barriers through careful assessments of pain that accommodate many of the physiologic changes that occur with aging. Effective pain management of elderly individuals requires knowledge of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes that occur with aging. Both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches should be used to manage pain in the elderly.
Miaskowski
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Department of Physiological Nursing, University of California, 2 Kirkham, Box 0610-N631Y, San Francisco, CA 94143-0510, USA.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000502:physiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal