title: [The pain situation for residents of nursing homes. Results of a study in Münster].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the phenomenon of pain in German nursing homes. In particular, it is unknown to what extent and severity pain occurs among residents and how their pain can be described.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 13 nursing homes located in the city of Münster, Germany, were included as part of the health services research project "Action Alliance Pain-free City Münster." Data were collected from 436 residents over 65 years old via self-report or the observational pain tool pain assessment in advanced dementia, german version (PAINAD-G), according to the cognitive status of the residents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of the interview, the majority of the residents questioned reported suffering from pain at rest and/or during movement. Approximately one quarter of residents complained about moderate to intolerable pain at rest and nearly 45% during movement. Residents encountered pain most often when standing up, sitting, resting in bed and walking and three quarters of residents had suffered from pain for more than 1 year. Many residents experienced pain in several body regions. Among residents assessed solely by the observational pain scale PAINAD-G, signs indicating pain existed in 21% (≥ 6) or 69% (≥ 2), respectively, depending on the cut-off value chosen on the PAINAD-G scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pain in nursing homes is a challenge that needs more attention as it has considerable negative consequences for the persons concerned. The extent of pain in the studied facilities indicates an urgent need for action on the part of all professionals caring for residents in nursing homes.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Pflegewissenschaft, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Strubergasse 21, Salzburg, Austria. juergen.osterbrink@pmu.ac.at
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Osterbrink
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hufnagel
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kutschar
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mitterlehner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Aschauer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weichbold
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sirsch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Drebenstedt
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Perrar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ewers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement