Depression and chronic pain in the elderly: links and management challenges

• Published in: Clinical interventions in aging Vol. 12; pp. 709 - 720
• Main Authors: Zis, Panagiotis, Daskalaki, Argyro, Bountouni, Ilia, Sykioti, Panagiota, Varrassi, Giustino, Paladini, Antonella
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2017; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Acupuncture; Aged; Aging; Aging (Biology); Arthritis; Back pain; Behavior modification; Care and treatment; Chronic pain; Chronic Pain - epidemiology; Cognitive ability; Comorbidity; Complications and side effects; Dementia; depression; Depression (Mood disorder); Depression - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Development and progression; Diabetic neuropathy; elderly; Etiology; Health aspects; Humans; Hypnotherapy; Inflammation; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Nervous system; neuroinflammation; Older people; Pain Management; Psychological aspects; Review; Risk factors; Systematic review; United Kingdom > UK; chronic pain; pain; cognitive impairment; depression; neuroinflammation; elderly
• ISSN: 1178-1998; 1176-9092; 1178-1998
• DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S113576

Aging is an inevitable process and represents the accumulation of bodily alterations over time. Depression and chronic pain are highly prevalent in elderly populations. It is estimated that 13% of the elderly population will suffer simultaneously from the two conditions. Accumulating evidence suggests than neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of both depression and chronic pain. Apart from the common pathophysiological mechanisms, however, the two entities have several clinical links. Their management is challenging for the pain physician; however, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches are available and can be used when the two conditions are comorbid in the elderly patients.