Characterization of Chronic Pain in Elderly Population with Emphasis on Differences Between Gender

Completed

• Conditions: Elderly; Chronic Pain; Gender

• Registration Number: NCT06855797
• Lead Sponsor: University of Sao Paulo General Hospital

Brief Summary

Introduction: It is estimated that by 2025 there will be approximately 1.2 billion people above 60 years old. Global projections indicate that by 2050 there will be about 2 billion elders, 80% of them living in developing countries. Researches on the relationship between pain and aging are currently much valued within the health sciences, the ultimate goal being the provision of adequate pain control for the growing number of elders in society. Objectives: To characterize chronic pain in the elderly population and evaluate pain threshold to mechanical stimulation, with emphasis on gender differences. Methods: This study refers to a cross-sectional study to be conducted in convenience samples of a primary care unit (Geraldo Horacio de Paula Souza) that follows elders and the Department of Geriatrics of the university hospital of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo (Hospital das Clínicas). At least 200 participants of each gender, aged 65 or above, will be selected to participate. Chronic pain will be that lasting for six or more months (either continuous or recurrent, as recommended by the International Association For the Study of Pain). Participants will be searched about their demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, and asked to answer the following questionnaires: the Mini Mental State Examination, a structured questionnaire for activities of daily living, a structured questionnaire for instrumental activities of daily living, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale, the five dimensions European Quality of Life assessment (EQ5D) and Brief Pain Inventory. Participants will also be evaluated regarding pain threshold to mechanical stimuli using algometer. Descriptive statistics of the sample will be displayed as means, medians, standard deviations and proportions. For testing for differences between males and females, a significance level of 5% will be used. Keywords: elderly, chronic pain, gender.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2017-07
• Study Start: 2017-07-05
• Study First Submitted: 2017-07-10
• Primary Completion: 2019-07-10
• Study Completion: 2020-07-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-02-27
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-02-27
• Study First Posted: 2025-03-04
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 474

Inclusion Criteria

• Patient of the geriatrics clinic at the Central Institute (IC) of the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP) or the Geraldo Horácio de Paula Souza School of Public Health Center of the University of São Paulo
• Be over 65 years old
• Accept study participation
• Have read, understood, agreed and signed the TCLE

Exclusion Criteria

• Cognitive difficulty in understanding and responding to research questions
• Do not accept participation in the study

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Sensitivity to pressure pain 5 minutes post recruitment	applied minutes 5 after recruitment of the subject.	Pain evaluation throught algometer 5 minutes post recruitment
Sensitivity to pressure pain 10 minutes post recruitment	applied minutes 10 after recruitment of the subject.	Pain evaluation throught algometer 10 minutes post recruitment
Sensitivity to pressure pain 15 minutes post recruitment	applied minutes 15 after recruitment of the subject.	Pain evaluation throught algometer 15 minutes post recruitment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mini Mental State Examination	applied in beginning of the interview	Mental state evaluation

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Universidade de Sao Paulo; 🇧🇷 São Paulo, SP, Brazil