Pain prevalence and characteristics in three Dutch residential homes.
BACKGROUND
In Anglo-Saxon countries, high prevalence rates of pain have been reported for elderly living in nursing homes, residential homes and for community-dwelling elderly. No information on pain prevalence is available for elderly living in Dutch residential homes.


METHODS
We performed an explorative study on pain prevalence, characteristics and treatment in three residential homes in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Residents were interviewed using a standardized pain questionnaire.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of pain was 69%. In case of pain, it was chronic in 93% of residents. Present pain and mean pain during the preceding week were substantial (numeric rating scale 4) in 68% and 85% of residents, respectively. Of the residents with pain, 22% did not receive any analgesics and only 3% was prescribed a strong opioid. When analgesics were prescribed, they were given only 'as needed' in 31% of residents. In a majority of residents, pain interfered with daily living and mood. Almost 60% of the elderly was convinced that pain is a part of ageing, 70% indicated that they did not always report their pain to the caregivers. Thirty-seven percent was satisfied with the caregivers' and 39% with the doctors' attention towards pain.


CONCLUSIONS
The pain prevalence rate in Dutch residential homes is similar to rates found in other Anglo-Saxon countries. Furthermore, they are also comparable to rates reported from European nursing homes. Pain treatment is insufficient and although pain interferes with daily activities and mood, elderly tend to accept pain as an unavoidable part of aging.
Boerlage
Anneke A
AA
Pain Expertise Center, Erasmus MC, Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.boerlage@erasmusmc.nl
van Dijk
Monique
M
Stronks
Dirk L
DL
de Wit
Rianne
R
van der Rijt
Carin C D
CC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000700:Analgesics