Pain and its Association with Disability in Institutional Long-Term Care in Four Nordic Countries

Prevalence of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) in nursing home residents: a systematic literature review

PURPOSE

The objective of this systematic literature review was to: (1) estimate the prevalence of (symptoms of) rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and (2) explore how (symptoms of) RMDs are identified and documented in studies among nursing home residents.

METHODS

Prevalence data of (symptoms of) RMDs in permanently admitted nursing home residents ≥ 60 years were included. Data extraction, data synthesis and risk of bias assessment were performed by two reviewers independently. Included studies were categorized based on case ascertainment and case definition comprising: (location of) musculoskeletal pain, general terms for RMDs or a specific type of RMD. Results were summarized descriptively.

RESULTS

Out of 6900 records, 53 studies were included. Case ascertainment comprised databases (n = 5), physical examination (n = 1), self-report questionnaires (n = 14), review of medical charts (n = 23) and self-report questionnaires combined with review of medical charts (n = 10). Prevalence ranged between 0.9 and 77.0% for (localized) musculoskeletal pain (n = 19) and between 0.6 and 67.5% for RMDs in general (n = 39). Prevalence rates of specific type of RMDs ranged between 0.7 and 47.5% for gout, between 3.3 and 11.0% for rheumatoid arthritis and between 2.8 and 75.4% for osteo-arthritis (n = 14). Heterogeneity with regard to documentation of (symptoms of) RMDs in medical data of nursing home residents was high.

CONCLUSION

The overall prevalence of (symptoms of) RMDs varied to a great extent. This was mainly due to large heterogeneity in documentation of (symptoms of) RMDs. Establishing agreement on a useful and practical classification may ultimately increase identification of RMDs in the nursing home setting.

The association of depression and painful physical symptoms–a review of the European literature

Objective:

The presence of painful physical symptoms may confound the diagnosis of major depressive disorder and may worsen patient prognosis. Epidemiological literature was reviewed to investigate the association between depression and painful physical symptoms.

Method:

MEDLINE and EMBASE database searches were conducted. Studies where a definable organic basis for pain was given were excluded. The search was unrestricted by language but limited to European studies and countries. After filters were applied, 70 eligible studies were reviewed.

Results:

The majority of studies reviewed showed an association between depression and painful physical symptoms. Over 40% of all studies examining the association between pain and depression were carried out in pain clinics in secondary care. Very few studies were conducted in psychiatric settings.

Conclusion:

The findings of this review suggest that painful physical symptoms may be an important part of the depressive syndrome. Although the relationship between depression and painful physical symptoms is not yet fully understood, findings suggest that diagnosis and treatment of depression should involve investigating and treating the full spectrum of symptoms (emotional and physical). Further research in psychiatric and generalist settings is needed to elucidate the relationship between depression and painful physical symptoms as experienced by patients and at the clinical level.

Reduced Pain Reports With Increasing Cognitive Impairment in Older Persons in New Zealand

BACKGROUND

Conflicting findings prevail about pain in older persons with cognitive impairment. There is evidence of changed pain perception; however, pain is also underrecognized. Pain and cognitive impairment were examined in a national cohort of older persons assessed using the Home Care International Residential Assessment Instrument (interRAI-HC).

METHODS

Participants were 41 459 aged 65+ years receiving a mandated needs assessment to access publicly funded services. InterRAI-HC pain severity and Cognitive Performance Scale analyses covaried for age, gender, and ethnicity.

RESULTS

Milder pain prevalence increased with age, whereas daily severe-excruciating pain prevalence decreased with age. Daily severe-excruciating pain was reported by 18% of cognitively intact individuals decreasing to 8% in the severe cognitive impairment group. This relationship remained after covarying for age, sex, and ethnicity. Differences among dementia subtypes were found.

CONCLUSION

Although severe pain reports decrease with increasing age and cognitive impairment, more nuanced research covarying for dementia severity and subtype is required.

Exploring the prevalence and variance of cognitive impairment, pain, neuropsychiatric symptoms and ADL dependency among persons living in nursing homes; a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Earlier studies in nursing homes show a high prevalence of cognitive impairment, dependency in activities of daily living (ADL), pain, and neuropsychiatric symptoms among residents. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of the above among residents in a nationally representative sample of Swedish nursing homes, and to investigate whether pain and neuropsychiatric symptoms differ in relation to gender, cognitive function, ADL-capacity, type of nursing-home unit and length of stay.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 188 randomly selected nursing homes were collected. A total of 4831 residents were assessed for cognitive and ADL function, pain and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square test.

RESULTS

The results show the following: the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 67 %, 56 % of residents were ADL-dependent, 48 % exhibited pain and 92 % exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms. The prevalence of pain did not differ significantly between male and female residents, but pain was more prevalent among cognitively impaired and ADL-dependent residents. Pain prevalence was not significantly different between residents in special care units for people with dementia (SCU) and general units, or between shorter-and longer-stay residents. Furthermore, the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms did not differ significantly between male and female residents, between ADL capacities or in relation to length of stay. However, residents with cognitive impairment and residents in SCUs had a significantly higher prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms than residents without cognitive impairment and residents in general units.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence rates ascertained in this study could contribute to a greater understanding of the needs of nursing-home residents, and may provide nursing home staff and managers with trustworthy assessment scales and benchmark values for further quality assessment purposes, clinical development work and initiating future nursing assessments.

Treatment of pain in European nursing homes: results from the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm Care (SHELTER) study

OBJECTIVE

To identify pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management approaches and associated factors in nursing home residents across Europe.

SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS

Cross-sectional study with 4156 residents who were assessed using the interRAI instrument for Long Term Care Facilities (interRAI LTCF), including pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management modalities. Those reporting pain were included in the analyses (n = 1900). A deeper analysis was performed for the subsample of residents who reported "current pain," defined as pain at least 1 day within the past 3 days (n = 838), and those who reported "current pain of moderate to severe intensity" (n = 590).

RESULTS

Up to 24% of residents who reported pain did not receive any pain medication and up to 11% received it only PRN (as-needed basis), independent of current pain-intensity levels; 61% did not receive any nonpharmacological treatment and 21% received neither pharmacological nor nonpharmacological pain modalities. Considerable differences could be demonstrated across European countries. Factors positively associated with pharmacological pain management were being of female gender, reporting cancer, and having moderate or severe pain. High turnover rates of regular staff and low-to-moderate physicians' availability were negatively associated. Factors positively associated with nonpharmacological treatment were fractures and need of assistance in activities of daily living. Dementia, large nursing home facilities, above-average and high turnover rates of nursing staff, a low physicians' availability, and severe pain intensity were negatively associated.

CONCLUSION

Despite some advances in recent years, pain treatment in European nursing home residents remains to be suboptimal and requires further improvement.

Pain characteristics and pain control in European nursing homes: cross-sectional and longitudinal results from the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm care (SHELTER) study

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Few studies have compared cross-national characteristics of residents with pain in European long term care facilities. The SHELTER project, a cross-national European study on nursing home residents, provides the opportunity to examine this issue. The present study aimed to evaluate key figures about pain and compare them with seven European countries and Israel.

SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND MEASUREMENTS

A total of 3926 nursing home residents were assessed by the interRAI instrument for Long Term Care Facilities (interRAI LTCF). Prevalence of pain, frequency, intensity, consistency, and control were estimated and compared cross-nationally. Correlates between patient-related characteristics and inadequate pain management were tested using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, 1900 (48.4%) residents suffered from pain. Pain prevalence varied significantly among countries, ranging from 19.8% in Israel to 73.0% in Finland. Pain was positively associated with female gender, fractures, falls, pressure ulcers, sleeping disorders, unstable health conditions, cancer, depression, and number of drugs. It was negatively associated with dementia. In a multivariate logistic regression model, all associations remained except for sleeping disorders. Clinical correlations varied considerably among countries. Although in 88.1% of cases, pain was self-rated by the residents as sufficiently controlled, in only 56.8% of cases was pain intensity self-rated as absent or mild. Pain control and intensity improved within 1 year.

CONCLUSION

Pain prevalence is high and varies considerably across Europe. Although most residents considered pain as adequately controlled, a closer look confirmed that many still suffer from high pain intensities. Analyzing the reasons behind these differences may help to improve pain management.

Pain in European long-term care facilities: cross-national study in Finland, Italy and The Netherlands

There have been very few and limited cross-national comparisons concerning pain among residents of long-term care facilities in Europe. The aim of the present cross-sectional study has been to document the prevalence of pain, its frequency and severity as well as its correlates in three European countries: Finland (north), Italy (south) and the Netherlands (western central). Patients (aged 65years or above) were assessed with the Minimum Data Set 2.0 (MDS).The final sample comprised 5761 patients from 64 facilities in Finland, 2295 patients from 8 facilities in the Netherlands and 1959 patients from 31 facilities in Italy. The prevalence of pain - defined as any type of pain - varied between 32% in Italy, 43% in the Netherlands and 57% in Finland. In nearly 50% of cases, pain was present daily; there were no significant differences in pain prevalence between patients with cancer diagnosis and those with non-cancer diagnosis. Regardless of the different prevalence estimates, pain was moderate-to-severe in over 50% of cases in all the countries. In multivariate logistic regression models, clinical correlates of pain were substantially similar across countries: pain was positively correlated with more severe physical disability (ADL impairment), clinical depression and a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Pain was negatively correlated with a diagnosis of dementia and more severe degrees of cognitive deterioration. We conclude that pain is frequently encountered in long-term care facilities in Europe and that, despite cultural and case-mix differences, pain speaks one language.

Pain in the nursing home: assessment and treatment on different types of care wards

The assessment and management of pain in nursing homes have been shown to be suboptimal, but no study has evaluated differences in clinical setting within these homes. The prevalence and management of pain on different care wards (psychogeriatric, somatic, and rehabilitation) was studied on 562 newly admitted Dutch nursing home residents. Pain was measured according to the Nottingham Health Profile (perceived pain) and the Minimum Data Set pain observation items (frequency and intensity). Pain frequency differed significantly across the different ward types: on psychogeriatric wards (n=247), it was 27.1%; on somatic wards (n=181), 53.9%; and on rehabilitation wards (n=129), 57.8%. Being admitted on a psychogeriatric ward was significantly related to less pain compared to being admitted on a somatic ward, even when adjusted for possible confounders such as age, gender, cognitive status, activities of daily living, pain-related disorders, and depression (odds ratio [OR] 0.38 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.23-0.62]). Patients on psychogeriatric wards who had pain received less pain medication, adjusted for frequency and intensity of pain (OR 0.37 [95% CI=0.23-0.59]), compared to patients on somatic wards. We conclude that admission to a psychogeriatric care ward, independent of cognition, is associated with lower pain prevalence, and also with lower levels of pain treatment.

Cognitive Dysfunction and Depression May Decrease Activities in Daily Life More Strongly Than Pain in Community-Dwelling Elderly Adults Living With Persistent Pain

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Chronic pain, dementia, and depression may reduce activities of daily life in elderly people. We evaluated the correlation between pain intensity and daily activities, cognitive state, and depression, as well as their interrelationships in home-dwelling elderly people with chronic pain.

METHODS

Forty-one elderly home-dwelling people who suffered from long-lasting pain, and who participated in a rehabilitation program, were enrolled. Severity of pain at rest and after pain-provoked motion was assessed on a visual analog scale (VAS, 0 to 100) and a 5-point verbal rating scale (VRS). Cognitive status was assessed with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, 0 to 30), depression on the geriatric depression scale (GDS, 0 to 15), and functional ability in daily life was assessed with the Barthel Index (0 to 100).

RESULTS

VAS and VRS scores correlated positively with each other. Rating pain at rest on the VRS (mean 1.0, median 1) correlated with severity of depression (GDS mean 5.4) (r = 0.3997, P < 0.01), while scores on the VAS did not. Pain ratings at rest did not correlate with the Barthel Index (mean 87.7), but the latter correlated positively with motion-evoked VRS pain scores (mean 2.8, median 3) (r = 0.42829, P < 0.01). The MMSE (mean 25.3) did not correlate with any pain parameter, but it correlated positively with the Barthel Index (r = 0.3660, P < 0.05). The Barthel Index correlated negatively with the GDS (r = -0.39969, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In home-dwelling elderly people, chronic pain states do not seem to reduce daily activities as much as cognitive dysfunction and depression. The seemingly controversial finding of a positive correlation between daily activities and pain in motion, and lack of correlation with pain at rest, may be explained by a relatively low intensity of pain in our study people.

Cardiovascular risk factors in cognitively impaired nursing home patients: a relationship with pain?

Cardiovascular risk factors (CRF) such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus favour the development of both vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The resulting deafferentation may increase the experience of pain in VaD and in AD. The goal of the present study was to examine the relationship between CRF and pain in a sample of 107 cognitively impaired nursing home patients who had also a chronic pain condition. The prevalence of pain in patients with hypertension or diabetes mellitus was higher (25/41=61% of them had pain) than those without diabetes or hypertension (of whom 24/66=36.4% had pain, p=0.017). In a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted for gender, age and depression) the presence of diabetes or hypertension was a risk indicator for pain: odds ratio: 3.48, p=0.005, 95% CI: 1.45-8.38. This finding supports the hypothesis that as a result of CRF, disruptions of cortico-cortico and cortico-subcortical pathways occur, and consequently, enhances pain in this group of patients.