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Intense Chronic Pain Increases Risk of Suicidal Thoughts in Elderly: Presented at AGS By Crystal Phend CHICAGO, I.L. -- May 8, 2006 -- Elderly chronic pain sufferers have more sleep disturbance and low energy, although their overall depression levels are similar to those without chronic pain, while those with intense or long-term pain have more suicidal ideation, researchers said here at the American Geriatrics Society 2006 Annual Scientific Meeting (AGS). "Routine assessment and treatment when indicated for depression and pain is particularly warranted in this vulnerable population," said lead author Anjali Ashok Nigalaye, medical student, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, in a presentation on May 4th. The study looked at frail, community-dwelling elderly individuals in a home-delivered meals program for the homebound and incapacitated. Comprehensive face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained social workers with 171 (86%) people enrolled in the program. Participants were asked about chronic pain defined as a painful, burning, aching, or throbbing sensation during the past 3 months, pain duration, and average pain intensity on a 10-point scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the validated Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) test. Sixty-one of the 171 subjects reported chronic pain. Mean age, race, gender, education, basic activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living (such as using the telephone and doing laundry) were similar between those who did and those who did not report chronic pain. However, significantly more individuals with chronic pain reported having sleep disturbance (50.8% vs 27.1%) and lack of energy (57.4% vs 38.3%). Total depressive score and other measures on the PHQ-9 were similar between those with and those without chronic pain, including depressed mood and suicidal ideation. Among those with chronic pain, those with a higher 6 to 10 point pain intensity were more likely to report lack of energy (74.1% vs 45.5%), poor concentration (29.6% vs 9.1%), suicidal ideation (22.2% vs 3.0%), and absence of pleasurable activities (29.6% vs 9.1%). Those with more than 3 months of chronic pain reported absence of pleasurable activities significantly more often (32.3% vs 3.3%). Overall PHQ-9 scores did not differ according to patient age, pain intensity, or pain duration. Dr. Nigalaye noted that the study did not evaluate any of these individuals for whether they were being treated for depression or pain. Also, the presence of family members during interviews may have induced response bias, he added. The study was supported by the American Federation for Aging Research. [Presentation title: Chronic Pain and Depressive Symptom Status in Frail, Community-Dwelling Elders. Poster B34] E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version