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[P1–562]: EPIDEMIOLOGY OF PAIN IN PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA LIVING IN CARE HOMES: LONGITUDINAL COURSE, PREVALENCE AND TREATMENT IMPLICATIONS
Author(s) -
Rajkumar Rajamani Anto Praveen,
Ballard Clive,
Fossey Jane,
Orrell Martin,
MonizCook Esme,
Woods Robert,
Murray Joanna,
Whitaker Rhian,
Stafford Jane,
John Knapp Martin Richard,
Khan Zunera,
Corbett Anne
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.06.578
Subject(s) - dementia , depression (economics) , medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , longitudinal study , epidemiology , psychiatry , physical therapy , gerontology , disease , nursing , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
Knowledge regarding the longitudinal course, impact, or treatment implications of pain in people with dementia living in care homes is very limited. Methods We investigated the people with dementia living in 67 care homes in London and Buckinghamshire, UK. Pain, dementia severity, neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression, agitation, and quality-of-life were measured using appropriate instruments at baseline (N=967) and after nine months (n=629). Results Baseline prevalence of pain was 35.3% (95%CI 32.3-38.3). Pain severity was significantly correlated with dementia severity, neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression, agitation, and quality-of-life at both time-points. Regular treatment with analgesics significantly reduced pain severity. Pain was significantly associated with more antipsychotic prescriptions. Pain was significantly associated (OR=1.48; 95%CI 1.18-1.85) with all-cause mortality during follow-up. Conclusions Pain is an important determinant of neuropsychiatric symptoms, mortality, quality-of-life, and antipsychotic prescriptions. Improved identification, monitoring, and treatment of pain are urgent priorities to improve the health and quality-of-life for people with dementia.