Video abstract of an original research “Factors Associated with Life Satisfaction in Older Adults with Chronic Pain (PainS65+)” published in the open access Journal of Pain Research by Huan-Ji Dong, Britt Larsson, Elena Dragioti et al.
Background: Chronic pain in later life is a worldwide problem. In younger patients, chronic
pain affects life satisfaction negatively; however, it is unknown whether this outcome will
extend into old age.
Objective: This study examines which factors determine life satisfaction in older adults
who suffer from chronic pain with respect to socio-demographics, lifestyle behaviors, pain,
and comorbidities.
Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited a random sample of people ≥65 years old
living in south-eastern Sweden (N= 6611). A postal survey addressed pain aspects and health
experiences. Three domains from the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) were used to
capture the individual’s estimations of overall satisfaction (LiSat-life), somatic health (LiSatsomhealth),
and psychological health (LiSat-psychhealth).
Results: Respondents with chronic pain (2790, 76.2±7.4 years old) rated lower on life
satisfaction than those without chronic pain, with medium effect size (ES) on LiSatsomhealth
(r = 0.38, P < 0.001) and small ES on the other two domains (r < 0.3). Among
the respondents with chronic pain, severe pain (OR 0.29–0.59) and pain spreading (OR
0.87–0.95) were inversely associated with all three domains of the LiSat-11. Current smoking,
alcohol overconsumption, and obesity negatively affected one or more domains of the
LiSat-11. Most comorbidities were negatively related to LiSat-somhealth, and some comorbidities
affected the other two domains. For example, having tumour or cancer negatively
affected both LiSat-life (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44–0.88) and LiSat-somhealth (OR 0.42, 95%
CI 0.24–0.74). Anxiety or depression disorders had a negative relationship both for LiSat-life
(OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38–0.78) and LiSat-psychhealth (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.06–0.14).
Conclusion: Older adults with chronic pain reported lower life satisfaction but the difference
from their peers without chronic pain was trivial, except for satisfaction with somatic
health. Pain management in old age needs to consider comorbidities and severe pain to
improve patients’ life satisfaction. Read the full paper here https://www.dovepress.com/factors-associated-with-life-satisfaction-in-older-adults-with-chronic-peer-reviewed-article-JPR
