Results of a recent study suggest that pain is a common part of life for seniors. Dr Ingrid Bergh, of Goteborg University in Sweden and colleagues studied the link between pain and depression among 241 70-year-old men and women. Results showed that the majority of seniors had recently experienced pain, and that pain is more common in women than it is in men. 79% of women said that they had experienced pain within the last two weeks, compared with 53% of men. The study also showed that pain is associated with symptoms of depression. However, although women are more likely than men to have symptoms of depression, the link between pain and symptoms of depression was significantly stronger in men. The researchers say their findings suggest that doctors should screen elderly patients complaining of pain for depression.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2003;26:903-912.
