Prevalence of pain in older adults with chronic lung disease: analysis of the SHARE database

Abstract

Background: Chronic lung diseases (CLD) frequently present comorbidities. These include musculoskeletal conditions, most notably chronic pain.

Aim: To determine whether the prevalence of pain in older adults with CLD is higher compared to the general population.

Methods: The study is based on data from the 9th wave of the SHARE database, a representative survey of people aged 50 and over in 27 European countries and Israel. Age, sex, smoking status, education, and history of comorbidities were collected. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associations of CLD with pain prevalence and severity.

Results: A total of 4,129 cases with CLD and 62,608 cases without CLD were included in the analysis. The prevalence of pain was higher in people with CLD compared to people without CLD, with a proportion of 64.8% (95%CI: 63.3-66.2) versus 44.6% (95%CI: 44.2-44.9), respectively (p < 0.001). The location of pain in persons with CLD was greatest in the back region (37.6%, 95%CI: 36.1-39.1) and knees (29%, 95%CI: 27.6-30.4), followed by other joints (24.5%, 95% CI: 23.1-25.8), hips (19.8%, 95%CI: 18.6-21.1), other parts of the body but not joints (18.8%, 95%CI: 17.6-19.9), and all over (4.7%. 95%CI: 4.1-5.4).

Conclusions: Older adults with CLD reported a variety of pain locations, with the back and knees being the most commonly affected regions. In addition, the prevalence and severity of pain were higher in older adults with CLD than in the general population.

Keywords: Chronic lung diseases; Pain; Prevalence.