The Association between Bodily Pain and Cognitive Impairment in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Chun-Che Huang,Tzu-Hung Hsiao,I-Chieh Chen,Wei-Szu Lin,Li-Hui Lee,Ching-Heng Lin

doi:10.3390/jpm12030350

Abstract

Background: Bodily pain is a common condition in older adults and interferes with individuals’ cognitive functioning. We aimed to evaluate the association between bodily pain and related locations and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. Method: In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, we enrolled 2022 participants aged 60‒70 years, from the Taiwan Biobank. Mini-Mental State Examination was performed to assess cognitive impairment. Further, logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the relationship between bodily pain and cognitive impairment. Results: Overall, 161 participants had cognitive impairment. Multivariable analysis showed that older adults who reported bodily pain were more likely than those who did not have cognitive impairment (odds ratio 1.68). Moreover, the occurrence of cognitive impairment correlated with the presence of two or more pain locations and self-reported low back and waist pain or sciatica. Conclusion: Our study revealed that cognitive impairment was associated with bodily pain in community-dwelling older adults, particularly older adults with low back and waist pain or sciatica and those with two or more pain locations. To maintain the quality of older adults’ life, pain and cognitive decline need to be simultaneously assessed with considerably more precise and objective markers.

Highlights

Introduction iationsWith the increase in life expectancy, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia are seen more commonly in older adults and continue to be an important public health concern worldwide
This study revealed that an increased likelihood of occurring cognitive impairment was associated with bodily pain in community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 70 years, for those with low back and waist pain and sciatica
The number of pain locations was positively correlated with an increase in cognitive impairment

Summary

Introduction

With the increase in life expectancy, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia are seen more commonly in older adults and continue to be an important public health concern worldwide. A population-based study from Taiwan reported that approximately one-fifth of older adults (18.8%) had symptoms of MCI [2]. We aimed to evaluate the association between bodily pain and related locations and cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. Mini-Mental State Examination was performed to assess cognitive impairment. Multivariable analysis showed that older adults who reported bodily pain were more likely than those who did not have cognitive impairment (odds ratio 1.68). Conclusion: Our study revealed that cognitive impairment was associated with bodily pain in community-dwelling older adults, older adults with low back and waist pain or sciatica and those with two or more pain locations. To maintain the quality of older adults’ life, pain and cognitive decline need to be simultaneously assessed with considerably more precise and objective markers

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Discussion

Conclusion