Analgesic use in the older person

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pain Management
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Under-treatment of pain is a significant issue in older adults, particularly those with dementia.
• There is growing awareness of pain and palliative care needs in the elderly population.
• Age-related physiological changes impact analgesic safety and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in analgesic use among older individuals.
• To summarize findings on pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain interventions for the elderly.
• To highlight educational strategies for improving pain management in older patients and clinicians.

Main Methods:

• Review of observational studies, reviews, and randomized trials published in the past year.
• Analysis of research on pharmacological/non-pharmacological interventions for pain in older adults.
• Examination of educational initiatives for patients and healthcare providers in pain management.

Main Results:

• Recent literature shows increased focus on pain management awareness and palliative care for older persons.
• Age-specific factors significantly influence analgesic treatment safety and effectiveness, especially in frail individuals or those with cognitive impairment.
• Topical analgesics demonstrate good tolerability and can reduce adverse events and polypharmacy.

Conclusions:

• Despite progress, under-treatment of pain remains a critical concern in community and institutionalized older adults.
• Optimizing analgesic use requires understanding patient attitudes, clinician barriers, and implementing structured educational programs.
• Further large-scale, prospective trials are essential to address the heterogeneity and vulnerability of the older population in pain management research.