Principles & Practice of Pain Medicine > Part V. Pain Syndromes > E. Pediatric and Geriatric Pain > Chapter 57. Pain in the Elderly Aida Won

Pain in the Elderly: Introduction

"Pain is one of the most common complaints among older people. Conditions such as gout, diabetic neuropathy, herpes zoster, peripheral vascular disease, and cancer are more common with increasing age. The most common complaints are musculoskeletal-related problems such as low back and joint pain. In community dwelling elderly, the prevalence of pain has been estimated between 25% and 50%,¹ with the prevalence of pain complaints being twice as great in those older than age 60 than in those younger than 60 years old.² The prevalence of pain in nursing homes is even higher, ranging between 45% and 80%.^3-5 In fact, 25% of nursing home residents with nonmalignant pain experience pain on a daily basis,⁶ and up to 40% of nursing home patients with cancer have pain on a daily basis.⁷ Unfortunately, the older patient is also at risk for undertreatment of pain. A significant number of elderly people with daily pain do not receive any or enough analgesics. This may be the result of inadequate pain assessment, societal misconceptions about pain in the elderly, as well as the fear of side effects of medications.^6,7..."