The Effects of Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life and Satisfaction With Life in Older Adults

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the relations between pain, health-related quality of life, and satisfaction with life in older adults above the age of 65 years. Subjects and methods: A total of 163 subjects, 58 (35.6%) females and 105 (64.4%) males, with an average age of 73.26 ± 6.58 years participated in the study. After gathering sociodemographic data, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to assess health-related quality of life. Satisfaction with life and level of pain were evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale. Results: Eighty-eight (54%) subjects reported pain that mainly originated from lower back, knees, and extremities with an average Visual Analogue Scale score of 5.75 ± 2.18. There were significant differences between older adults reporting pain and those who did not report pain in the aspects of satisfaction with life and NHP (total and all subscales) (P < .05). Also, severity of pain was found to have a negative effect on NHP and social isolation subscale (NHP) (P < .05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated the adverse impact of pain on quality of life. Pain is a significant problem and needs to be routinely assessed and treated in older-adult population.