THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSED AFFECT, PAIN AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION - A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF 2 ELDERLY POPULATIONS

The relationship of cognitive function and pain to depression was stud ied among 195 participants in senior daycare centers and 408 residents of a nursing home. The residents' cognitive capacity was segregated i nto three levels (intact, moderate impairment and severe impairment) a s determined by the Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS). Ratings of bo th the residents' levels of depressed affect, as well as whether they experienced any pain were obtained from the staff at each institution. In both populations, individuals in pain with moderate cognitive impa irment evinced the highest levels of depressed affect. The present fin dings indicate that moderate cognitive impairment might exacerbate the impact of pain on depressed affect. The importance of detecting physi cal pain and depressed affect among those suffering with dementia is t herefore underscored.