Chronic pain - Sources of late-life pain and risk factors for disability

The prevalence of pain peaks in middle age and decreases thereafter, accord ing to most epidemiologic studies of complaints of pain. However this appar ent decrease in pain in older adults may be a statistical artifact. Eighty to 85% of persons experience a significant health problem that predisposes them to pain at some time after age 65. With aging patients experience less frequent head, abdominal, and chest pain and more frequent joint pain. Wom en are more likely to report musculoskeletal pain and multiple pain sites t han men, but there are no gender differences for reports of chest and abdom inal pain. Many patients with chronic-pain have clinically significant depr essive symptoms and low self-reported quality-of-life scores.