title: Prevalence and treatment of pain in non-institutionalized very old population: transversal study at national level.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Europe, there is no conclusive data at national level about pain prevalence in non-institutionalized very old population. In USA, it has recently been reported a high prevalence (56 %); however, this data can not be extrapolated to other regions because the known influence of geographical and ethnic differences. Furthermore there are few data on use of treatments for pain in this population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore prevalence and considered pharmacological treatments for pain in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transversal study on 551 participants aged 80 or more living in Spain (non-institutionalized). Probabilistic multistage sampling was carried out, stratified by sex and place of residence. All Spanish regions were considered for recruitment process. Pain (last 4 weeks), intensity (Face Pain Scale), localization and pharmacological treatments were evaluated by in-person interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pain's prevalence was 52.5 % (CI 95 % 48.28-56.80) and 38.5 % experienced pain of at least moderate intensity. The most frequently involved body regions were lower limbs (26.6 %) and dorso-lumbar region (21.9 %). Only 40 % of participants with pain and 43.2 % with moderate or severe pain used analgesics, and paracetamol was less frequently used than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at any pain intensity. Age was not associated with higher prevalence [odds ratios 0.97 (CI 95 % 0.93-1.02) in females and 0.99 (CI 95 % 0.92-1.06) in males].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of pain in non-institutionalized very old people is high. Pain is probably being undertreated, even moderate or severe pain. Guideline's recommendations are probably not being considered to select the analgesic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit, Hospital Sant Antoni Abat, Fundació Privada Sant Antoni Abat, C/ Sant Josep 21-23, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 08800, Barcelona, Spain. cgalvez@csg.cat.|Geriatrics Department, Consorci Sanitari del Garraf, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 08800, Barcelona, Spain. cgalvez@csg.cat.
authors.forename: César
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gálvez-Barrón
authors.affiliation: Geriatrics Department, Consorci Sanitari del Garraf, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 08800, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Leire
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Narvaiza
authors.affiliation: Geriatrics Department, Consorci Sanitari del Garraf, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 08800, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: María D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Dapena
authors.affiliation: Geriatrics Department, Consorci Sanitari del Garraf, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 08800, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Macho
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit, Hospital Sant Antoni Abat, Fundació Privada Sant Antoni Abat, C/ Sant Josep 21-23, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 08800, Barcelona, Spain.|Geriatrics Department, Consorci Sanitari del Garraf, Vilanova i la Geltrú, 08800, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Molinero
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics
keywords: Aged 80 and over; Analgesics use; Epidemiology; Pain