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The authors of a recent study published in BMC Geriatrics attempted to identify whether pain is undertreated among patients with dementia. The authors enrolled 1,848 older adult patients diagnosed with dementia aged 65 years and older. The study result indicate that analgesic use was more prevalent among dementia patients in comparison to other older adult groups. However, the authors found that pain was still undertreated among older adults with dementia despite the higher usage of analgesics.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging assessed “1) the prevalence of pain in older adults discharged from inpatient facilities; and 2) the association between self-reported pain and physical performance in people discharged from inpatient rehabilitation centers.” The authors enrolled 420 older adults from two inpatient rehabilitation centers whose pain “was assessed with questions about the extent to which participants were troubled by pain, the duration of symptoms, and the impact of chronic pain on everyday activity.” The authors found that “one-third of participants reported chronic pain,” and that, “chronic pain was associated with impaired physical [...]

The authors of a recent study published in Pain examined the role of vitamin D supplements in reducing chronic pain among older adults. The authors employed a randomized controlled trial in which 36 older adult women with fibromyalgia were separated into two treatment groups. The first group of participants received Vitamin D supplements while the second group of participants received a placebo. The authors found that increased vitamin D intake resulted in decreased pain levels and increased physical function among participants. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Pain examined whether older adults “with musculoskeletal pain conditions have increased sensitivity to physical activity (SPA) and respond to activities of stable intensity with increasingly severe pain.” The authors enrolled 107 older adults with chronic knee osteoarthritis who completed self-report measures of pain, function, and psychological factors, and performed a 6-min walk test. The authors found that “pain was a significant predictor of SPA among older adults and that SPA mediated the relationship between pain and physical function.” Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Pain Management Nursing evaluated “the effects of a physical exercise program (PEP) on older residents of nursing homes who have chronic pain.” The authors enrolled 396 older adults (average age 85 years old) from 10 nursing homes who experienced pain.  Participants were enrolled in an “eight-week PEP that consisted of warm-up exercises, muscle strengthening, stretching, and balancing.” The authors found that upon completion of PEP, participants reported reduced pain symptoms and improved well-being. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Rheumatology Oxford aimed to determine the impact of age on the progression and remission of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) among older adults. The authors enrolled 1809 patients with RA and separated them into 3 different groups, young adults (<42 years), middle-aged adults (≥42-<64 years) and older adults (≥64). The study results indicate that individuals in the older adult group were more heavily impacted by RA in comparison to other age groups. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing evaluated “analgesic use in hip fracture patients with dementia during the first two postoperative days as reported by nurses.” The study enrolled 269 nurses who worked with older adult hip fracture patients in orthopedic clinics/hospitals.  Each nurse completed a questionnaire that assessed the total number of analgesics administered to dementia patients after hip fracture surgery. The study results indicate that “paracetamol and strong opioids administered orally were the most commonly used types of analgesics in patients with dementia,” and that “further studies are needed to find out whether [...]

The authors of a recent study published in HSS Journal examined the effects of an adapted (vs. the original) Arthritis Self-Help Program (ASHP) among older adults. The authors wanted to determine 1) whether the adapted ASHP improved attendance, retention, and adherence with the use of self-management exercises, and (2) if the original ASHP's beneficial outcomes were maintained following program adaptation. The authors enrolled 201 participants, and found that the adapted ASHP improved program attendance and retention while maintaining improvements in physical and psychosocial functions. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in Pain Medicine examined “the characteristics, treatment, and health care expenditures of Medicare Supplemental-insured patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) or fibromyalgia.” The authors enrolled 25,716 older adults (mean age= 75) with multiple comorbidities who received supplemental insurance from Medicaid. The study results indicate that “pain-related health care expenditures decreased as age increased” among Medicare supplemental-insured patients with pDPN, or fibromyalgia. Full Story

The authors of a recent study published in American Journal of Medicine evaluated “handgrip strength, an objective measure of physical function for bedridden patients, as a predictor of walking recovery in the year after fracture surgery.”  The authors enrolled 504 patients aged 70 years or older “who were admitted to the hospital for hip fracture surgery and were formerly able to walk independently.” The authors conducted a multivariable evaluation of each participant that included a brief physical examination, and cognitive assessment using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and the Geriatric Depression Scale. The authors conclude that, “in older patients with [...]