Musculoskeletal Pain Experienced on Most Days is a Common Accompaniment of Ageing amongst Community-Dwelling Older Australians: A Questionnaire-Based Study

• Published in: Journal of aging and health Vol. 33; no. 1-2; pp. 39 - 47
• Main Authors: Gilmartin-Thomas, Julia F-M., Ernst, Michael E., Nelson, Mark R., Lockery, Jessica, Ward, Stephanie A., Woods, Robyn L., Britt, Carlene, Murray, Anne, Workman, Barbara, McNeil, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2021; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Australia - epidemiology; Chronic Pain - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Independent Living; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Musculoskeletal Pain - epidemiology; Older people; Pain; Prevalence; Self Report; Australia; pain; analgesia; geriatric
• ISSN: 0898-2643; 1552-6887
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264320952914

Objective: To describe the prevalence, location and impact of moderate to severe pain experienced on most days in community-dwelling older (≥70 years) adults who were ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) clinical trial participants. Methods: Cross-sectional ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP) data were collected from self-reported questionnaires administered to 16,439 ASPREE participants. Results: Of 14,155 respondents, 41% of males (n = 2651/6475) and 50% of females (n = 3803/7680) reported experiencing pain on most days. One quarter of respondents reported experiencing pain on most days that was moderate or severe in intensity (n = 3560/14,155), commonly located in the lower back, knees and upper back. Of those reporting moderate or severe pain, 51% reported taking analgesic medication on most days (n = 1812/3560), almost one-third also reported regular interference with sleep (29%, n = 1024/3560), walking (35%, n = 1239/3560) and daily activities (41%, n = 1467/3560). Discussion: Lower back, knee or upper back pain is a common accompaniment of ageing.