Chronic Pain and Late-Life Depression are Positively Associated in Chinese Centenarians and Oldest-Old Adults

Abstract

Objectives: Aging is an inevitable process. Chronic pain and late-life depression frequently coexist in older adults. This study was aimed to explore the association between chronic pain and late-life depression in Chinese centenarians and oldest-old adults.

Study Design: According to the list provided by the Department of Civil Affairs, a household survey was conducted on all centenarian and oldest-old adults residing in 18 cities and counties of Hainan Province.

Methods: The household survey method was used to collect basic information with interview questionnaires, physical examinations, and blood tests conducted by systematically trained doctors and nurses. This study used visual analog scales and numerical rating scale for pain assessment. Geriatric depression scale (GDS) was used for the evaluation of depression.

Results: All 1324 older adults had a median age of 91 years, ranging from 80 to 116 years. Among them, 349 older adults (26.4%) have depression, and 507 (38.3%) suffer from chronic pain. Comorbidity rate of chronic pain and late-life depression was 12.6% (167 participants). Furthermore, late-life depression (odds ratio [OR]: 1.591, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.218–2.078, and p = 0.001) was significantly and positively associated with chronic pain in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Chronic pain (OR: 1.581, 95% CI: 1.210–2.067, and p = 0.001) was significant and positive factor associated with late-life depression in multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that chronic pain and late-life depression are positively associated in Chinese centenarians and oldest-old adults. This suggests that the management of pain should be considered when treating late-life depression in older adults.