This study deals with how pain characteristics in conjunction with other factors affect quality of life (QoL) in a vulnerable primary care population. We recruited vulnerable older people (75+, n = 825) living in south-eastern Sweden. A postal questionnaire included pain aspects, QoL (EQ-5D-3L, RAND-36 physical functioning, attitudes toward own aging, and life satisfaction), functional status, social networks, and basic demographic information. Pain extent and localization was obtained by digitalization of pain drawings reported on standard body charts. Most respondents were experiencing pain longer than 3 months (88.8%). Pain frequency varied mostly between occasionally (33.8%) and every day (34.8%). A minority reported high pain intensity (13.6%). The lower back and lower legs were the most frequently reported pain locations (>25%). Multiple linear regression model revealed three characteristics of pain (intensity, frequency, and extent) remained inversely associated with the EQ-5D-3L index score (R² = 0.57). Individually, each of these pain characteristics showed a negative impact on the other three dimensions of QoL (R² = 0.23–0.59). Different features of pain had impact on different dimensions of QoL in this aging population. A global pain assessment is useful to facilitate individual treatment and rehabilitation strategies in primary care.

中文翻译：

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未来住院高风险老年人的疼痛特征和生活质量

这项研究探讨了疼痛特征以及其他因素如何影响脆弱的初级保健人群的生活质量（QoL）。我们招募脆弱的老年人（75+，ñ= 825）居住在瑞典东南部。邮政调查表包括疼痛方面，QoL（EQ-5D-3L，RAND-36身体机能，对自己的衰老和生活满意度的态度），功能状态，社交网络和基本人口统计信息。疼痛程度和定位是通过数字化在标准人体图上报告的疼痛图获得的。大多数受访者的疼痛时间超过3个月（88.8％）。疼痛频率主要在偶尔（33.8％）和每天（34.8％）之间变化。少数人报告高疼痛强度（13.6％）。下背部和小腿是最常报告的疼痛部位（> 25％）。多元线性回归模型显示，疼痛的三个特征（强度，频率和程度）与EQ-5D-3L指数得分（R ²= 0.57）。单独地，这些疼痛特征中的每一个都对QoL的其他三个维度表现出负面影响（R ² = 0.23-0.59）。在这个老龄化人群中，疼痛的不同特征对生活质量的不同维度产生影响。全球疼痛评估有助于促进初级保健中的个体治疗和康复策略。