Aging with a disability: physical impairment, pain, and fatigue.
This article focuses on the role of pain and fatigue in aging people who have physical impairments and provides a brief summary of definitions, descriptions, and classifications of pain and fatigue; implications of these secondary conditions on the health and functioning; multidisciplinary assessment and treatment options; and critical gaps in knowledge and directions for future research. Central nervous system trauma, diseases of the nervous system, and degenerative muscle diseases often result in significant physical impairments and disability. People who are living and aging with these underlying medical conditions often experience pain and fatigue secondary to their physical impairment that may worsen over time, resulting in increased disability and decreased quality of life. Important areas for future research in persons who have physical impairments include identification of conditions that require age-specific considerations; identification of symptom clusters (eg, pain, fatigue, depression) and how they evolve over time; and development of interdisciplinary treatment protocols.
Widerström-Noga
Eva
E
Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Lois Pope Life Center (R-48), 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL 33136, USA. ewiderstrom-noga@med.miami.edu <ewiderstrom-noga@med.miami.edu>
Finlayson
Marcia L
ML
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile