Sociodemographic and health factors associated with chronic pain in institutionalized elderly

Authors

  • Maria Helena Barbosa Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro image/svg+xml
  • Alison Fernandes Bolina Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro image/svg+xml
  • Jordânia Lumênia Tavares Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro image/svg+xml
  • Aldenora Laísa Paiva de Carvalho Cordeiro Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro image/svg+xml
  • Raíssa Bianca Luiz Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro image/svg+xml
  • Karoline Faria de Oliveira Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.3552.2510

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: to characterize chronic pain in institutionalized elderly and verify the associated factors. METHOD: observational, cross-sectional and non-experimental study with a quantitative approach. The study participants were 124 elderly living in Long-Term Care Institutions for the Elderly (LTCIs) in a city in Minas Gerais (Brazil). Approval for the project was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee. The elderly's clinical and sociodemographic variables and pain-related aspects were assessed. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis (chi-squared). RESULTS: the prevalence of chronic pain corresponded to 58.1%; for more than 10 years (26.4%); in lower limbs (31.9%); characterized as "twinges" (33.3%); 33.3% adopted medication treatment; the pain did not improve (41.7 %); or worsen (34.7 %). It was evidenced that elderly aged 60├ 70 old had 70% less chances of chronic pain than those aged 80 years and older (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: institutionalized elderly have a high prevalence of chronic pain, mainly in the lower limbs. No factors of pain improvement or worsening were identified and medication was evidenced as the preferred treatment. Age showed to be associated with the presence of pain. It is considered important to accomplish multiprofessional actions at the LTCIs to guide prevention and rehabilitation actions of the pain episodes in these elderly.

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References

Published

2014-12-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Barbosa, M. H., Bolina, A. F., Tavares, J. L., Cordeiro, A. L. P. de C., Luiz, R. B., & Oliveira, K. F. de. (2014). Sociodemographic and health factors associated with chronic pain in institutionalized elderly . Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 22(6), 1009-1016. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.3552.2510