THE EFFECT OF MEDICAL STATUS ON THE ACTIVITY LEVEL OF OLDER PAIN CLINIC PATIENTS

OBJECTIVE: This project sought to assess the effect of disease status on the activity level of older people suffering from chronic pain. DES IGN: A retrospective comparison of groups defined by disease attribute s. SETTING: Outpatient pain management clinic for older people. SAMPLE : The sample consisted of 115 patients, of a possible 144, aged betwee n 52 and 91 years, who were assessed upon admission to a multidiscipli nary pain management clinic. Subjects were allocated to groups for com parison on the basis of the diagnosis of their pain problem and the ex tent of coexistent medical problems. MEASUREMENTS: Groups were compare d on scores of activity level using the Human Activity Profile, with a nd without pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire) and depressive symptom (Ge riatric Depression Scale) scores as covariates. MAIN RESULTS: Both pai n diagnosis and number of additional medical problems characterized gr oups that were distinguishable by level of activity. A musculoskeletal disorder was associated with greater impact on activity than either p ostherpetic neuralgia or pain associated with a psychiatric diagnosis. Less activity was also evident among the subjects with several additi onal medical problems. However, this effect did not operate independen tly of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Disease status is a factor th at rarely explains variations in the pain experience of young adult pa tients with chronic pain. The results from this study suggest that dis ease state does influence self-reported activity level in older people with chronic pain. The influence of medical status should be acknowle dged as an important factor when assessing and managing the older pati ent with chronic pain.