THE CLASSIFICATION OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN - AGE AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR

Objective: To explore the influence of age on the empirical classifica tion of patients with chronic pain. Design: Cluster analyses of two co horts defined by age. Setting: Two outpatient pain management clinics for young and older people. Sample: The sample consisted of 340 patien ts between the ages of 17 and 93 years, who were consecutively assesse d on admission to the multidisciplinary pain clinics. The subjects wer e allocated to two groups according to age; either 17 to 65 years or 6 6 years and older. Measurements: Clustering was carried out using stan dardised scores from measures of pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire), dep ression (Zung or Geriatric Depression Scales), and impact of pain (Sic kness Impact Profile adapted for pain). Results: Previous classificati ons of younger adults were replicated in the clusters of: ''Good Pain Control,'' ''Positive Adaption to Pain,'' and ''Chronic Pain Syndrome. '' A fourth cluster, ''High Impact'' was identified in the older group and subsequently replicated in the combined sample. This group consis ted of subjects with high levels of impact of pain and depression and low levels of pain. Conclusion: Age differences are present in the cli nical presentation of chronic pain patients. Some older patients with chronic pain present with a unique constellation of clinical symptoms, and the classic patient profile of high pain, high impact, and high m ood disturbance (i.e., Chronic Pain Syndrome) identified in younger to middle-aged adults does not occur as frequently in older patients. A number of explanations are presented to account for these differences, including comorbidity as well as other medical, psychological, and so cial factors.