title: Pain and depression in older adults with arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The experience of chronic pain negatively impacts the general health of individuals. Evidence shows that depression and chronic pain co-occur, and both experiences tend to worsen as the number of comorbidities increases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between pain and depression as well as the impact of number of comorbidities in older adults with arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analysis of existing data was conducted with a sample of 1,592 community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 74.3 years, SD = 5.9 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of participants reported the presence of bodily pain. Mild depressive symptoms and multimorbidities were found. More severe pain correlated with a higher number of comorbidities and worsening depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence and impact of pain and other co-occurring conditions suggest their importance in planning care for the elderly with arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Uloma D. Onubogu, PhD, MSN, MSEd, APRN-BC, Associate Professor, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL.
authors.forename: Uloma D
authors.initials: UD
authors.lastname: Onubogu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications*