Pain and Its Management in Patients Referred to a Geriatric Outpatient Clinic

Abstract

(1) Background: A major problem affecting geriatric patients is pain. In addition to pain, a significant problem of old age is dementia and depression, which can hinder the diagnosis and treatment of pain. The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of pain in patients treated in a geriatric outpatient clinic and the treatment used. (2) Methods: The analysis was based on the records of 937 patients who visited the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic in Dobre Miasto between 2015 and 2020. Based on records containing data dating back to their first visit to the hospital, patients’ experiences of pain, the presence of depressive symptoms and dementia, and the pharmacological treatment used for pain (analgesics and coanalgesics) were analysed. (3) Results: Pain complaints were reported by 311 patients (33.2% of the study group), 76% of the complaints were from females. The mean age of the patients was 78 years (SD = 8.45). At least one analgesic drug was taken by 107 patients (34.4%). The most commonly used analgesics were opioids (63 patients, 58.87%), especially tramadol. Of the potential coanalgesics, the largest number of patients used an antidepressant. (4) Conclusions: Despite the widespread prevalence of pain among the elderly, only about one-third of them were taking pain medication, mainly in the form of weak opioids. Patients with symptoms of dementia were found to report pain less frequently.