Pain complaints and cognitive status among elderly institution residents

摘要: Objective To examine the association between self-reported pain and cognitive impairment among frail elderly institution residents. Design A cross-sectional correlational study. Setting A large urban nursing home congregate apartment complex housing predominantly Jewish elderly. Participants Seven hundred fifty-eight residents (30% in home, 70% apartments). The sample was female averaged 83.3 years of age. Measurements Respondent self-reports tapped intensity, number localized complaints, status, disability performance activities daily living. Attending physicians or physician assistants rated respondents health status. Main Results Pain intensity complaints bore small but significant negative relationships to impairment. Pain positively associated with physician-rated ill functional disability. status remained even when controlled statistically for effects physical Item-by-item examination indicated that markedly cognitively impaired individuals were less likely report back joints. However, possible causes reported revealed no differences reports versus intact either presence absence a cause. Conclusions These data provide evidence “masking” by They suggest instead that, although may slightly underreport experienced pain, their are generally valid those individuals. Limitations research acknowledged implications treatment discussed.