Prevalence of chronic pain and analysis of handgrip strength in institutionalized elderly

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Musculoskeletal disorders are accentuated with aging. Among these, chronic pain can influence several functional aspects such as handgrip strength, especially in institutionalized elderly. The objective of this study was to check the prevalence of chronic pain and to analyze the handgrip strength in institutionalized elderly. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out at long-term care facilities in Passo Fundo/RS (2016)(2017)(2018). The population was composed of 281 residents, evaluated for sociodemographic variables (medical records), handgrip strength (manual dynamometry), and chronic pain (self-report). The statistical analysis used the descriptive statistics and the Student t-test of independent samples (p≤0.05). RESULTS:The sample consisted of 173 elderly individuals (80.95±8.94 years). The majority lived in private institutions, were women, widows, with 1 to 8 years of education. The prevalence of chronic pain was 39.3%, and the mean handgrip strength was 7.0±6.42kg (right hand) and 6.24±5.96kg (left hand). The handgrip strength was higher in the groups of elderly men (right and left hands: p=0.000) and non-long-living seniors (right hand: p=0.017; left hand: p=0.002). There was no difference in handgrip strength values between the groups with and without chronic pain (p>0.05). Prevalence of chronic pain and analysis of handgrip strength in institutionalized elderlyPrevalência de dor crônica e análise da força de preensão manual em idosos institucionalizados

Prevalência De Sintomas Depressivos E Condições De Saúde Em Idosos Atendidos Na Atenção Primária À Saúde

“…Os achados sociodemográficos deste estudo estão em conformidade com a literatura nos aspectos gênero feminino e renda familiar (16)(17) .…”

Muscle function following testosterone replacement in men on opioid therapy for chronic non‐cancer pain: A randomized controlled trial

“…In some patients, the pathology causing pain may simultaneously cause muscle weakness (e.g., altered Ca 2 + and free radical signaling with rheumatoid arthritis) 49 . However, not all clinical populations with chronic pain exhibit poor muscle function 15,50,51 . Therefore, the impact of pain on muscle function is likely dependent on the pain's specific etiology.…”

Quality of life and risk of depression in institutionalized elderly / Qualidade de vida e risco de depressão em idosos institucionalizados

“…The average age found was lower than that of 650 elderly institutionalized in the city of São Paulo and in Passo Fundo, respectively 85.5 years 9 and 80.95 years. 10 Another divergent characteristic is the marital status, since in Passo Fundo the majority was widower . 10 Although the difference between the number of men and women is small, it corroborates the trend of the Brazilian elderly population, given the higher life expectancy of women.…”

“…10 Another divergent characteristic is the marital status, since in Passo Fundo the majority was widower . 10 Although the difference between the number of men and women is small, it corroborates the trend of the Brazilian elderly population, given the higher life expectancy of women. 2 The high prevalence of depressive symptoms (mild and severe) found is worrying.…”

“…18 The presence of pain has shown a direct correlation with QLe is a frequent complaint among the elderly, 19 and can reach about 50% of the elderly in the community 20 and more than 70% in the institutionalized ones. 21 Its presence can impair mobility, the performance of daily tasks and make the individual more dependent on care, 10 thus compromising the QLe of the elderly. 20 Moderate and inverse correlation of how much a person takes advantage of life and how much they need medical treatment, reinforces the premise that the pathological process directly interferes in QL.…”