title: Self-reported chronic pain is associated with physical performance in older people leaving aged care rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The impact of pain on the physical performance of patients in aged care rehabilitation is not known. The study sought to assess 1) the prevalence of pain in older people being discharged from inpatient rehabilitation; 2) the association between self-reported pain and physical performance in people being discharged from inpatient rehabilitation; and 3) the association between self-reported pain and physical performance in this population, after adjusting for potential confounding factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an observational cross-sectional study of 420 older people at two inpatient aged care rehabilitation units. Physical performance was assessed using the Lower Limb Summary Performance Score. Pain was assessed with questions about the extent to which participants were troubled by pain, the duration of symptoms, and the impact of chronic pain on everyday activity. Depression and the number of comorbidities were assessed by questionnaire and medical file audit. Cognition was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty percent of participants reported chronic pain (pain lasting more than 3 months), and 17% reported that this pain interfered with daily activities to a moderate or greater extent. Chronic pain (P=0.013) and chronic pain affecting daily activities (P<0.001) were associated with a poorer Lower Limb Summary Performance Score. The relationship between chronic pain affecting daily activities and Lower Limb Summary Performance Score remained significant (P=0.001) after adjusting for depression, age, comorbidities, and Mini-Mental State Examination score. This model explained 10% of the variability in physical performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One-third of participants reported chronic pain, and close to one-fifth reported that this pain interfered with daily activities. Chronic pain was associated with impaired physical performance, and this relationship persisted after adjusting for likely confounding factors.
authors: Department of Physiotherapy, School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil ; Musculoskeletal Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Leani Souza Máximo
authors: LS
authors: Pereira
authors: Musculoskeletal Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia ; Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Sherrington
authors: Musculoskeletal Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Manuela L
authors: ML
authors: Ferreira
authors: Musculoskeletal Division, The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia ; Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Tiedemann
authors: Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Paulo H
authors: PH
authors: Ferreira
authors: Pain Management and Research Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Fiona M
authors: FM
authors: Blyth
authors: Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia ; Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Jacqueline C T
authors: JC
authors: Close
authors: Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia ; Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Morag
authors: M
authors: Taylor
authors: Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors: Stephen R
authors: SR
authors: Lord
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: older people; pain; physical performance; rehabilitation