Overall and health related quality of life among the oldest old in pain.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the oldest old (85 years and above) in pain with those with no pain across gender, regarding demographic data, living conditions, social network/support, walking/mobility problems, fatigue, sleeping problems, depressed mood and quality of life (QoL). The aim was also to test how these variables were related to QoL among the oldest old in pain.


METHODS
The study comprised 1622 people aged 85-105 years, of whom 47% reported pain. SF-12 and the LGC questionnaire were used to measure QoL. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with QoL.


RESULTS
Functional limitations, fatigue, sleeping problem and depressed mood were significantly more prevalent and QoL was significantly lower among those in pain than those not in pain, and among women compared to men. These complaints, along with financial problems, living in sheltered housing and living alone, were associated with low QoL among those in pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Pain is common among the oldest old and coexists with several other complaints that together negatively affect QoL. By identifying those in pain and coexisting factors, actions can be taken to contribute to QoL, also in late life.
Jakobsson
Ulf
U
Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. ulf.jakobsson@omv.lu.se
Hallberg
Ingalill Rahm
IR
Westergren
Albert
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology