Effects of dementia on perceived daily pain in home-dwelling elderly people: a population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Pain is a significant problem in the elderly, but the impact of dementia on perceived pain has not been studied in population-based study settings.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse the prevalence of daily pain and analgesic use among home-dwelling older people with and without dementia.


METHODS
A cross-sectional population-based survey.


METHODS
Population of Kuopio city, Finland.


METHODS
523 home-dwelling subjects aged 75 years and older.


METHODS
Structured clinical examination and interview.


RESULTS
Prevalence rates for any pain, any daily pain, pain every day interfering with routine activities, and daily pain at rest were significantly lower in those subjects with dementia (43%, 23%, 19% and 4%, respectively) compared to those subjects without dementia (69%, 40%, 36% and 13%, respectively). The subjects with dementia were less likely to use analgesics (33%) than the non-demented (47%).


CONCLUSIONS
Dementia was related to a lower prevalence of reported pain and analgesic use among home-dwelling elderly people.
Mäntyselkä
Pekka
P
Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, Unit of General Practice, Kupio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. pekka.mantyselka@uku.fi
Hartikainen
Sirpa
S
Louhivuori-Laako
Kirsti
K
Sulkava
Raimo
R
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects
D000700:Analgesics