Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Geriatrics
Pain in older people: often unrecognised and undertreated
Abstract
Pain is not a normal part of ageing and it is often unreported, unrecognised and undertreated in older patients. Appropriate treatment is required to ensure this population is managed effectively.
Key Points
- Pain is not a normal part of ageing; its high prevalence in older people is secondary to the burden of pathology.
- Pain in older people is often unreported, unrecognised and undertreated.
- The absence of pain in the elderly does not exclude the possibility of serious illness – e.g. silent myocardial infarction.
- A multidisciplinary approach to treating pain in older people is often more effective than drug therapy alone.
- Treatment approaches and goals need to be modified to suit the needs of the older person.
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