Chronic pain in old and young patients: differences appear less important than similarities

Two studies compared physical and psychosocial characteristics of elderly and younger chronic pain patients. No age differences were found during intake for the number of physical coping strategies. Elderly patients named fewer cognitive strategies. No age differences were detected in the percentage of patients offered treatment, who agreed to enter treatment, or who completed treatment. Although older patients more frequently had abnormal physical findings, there were no significant differences on measures of self-reported activity, pain severity, life interference, emotional or worry reactions in response to pain. Both age groups had comparable scores on measures of social support and perceptions of how others react to their pain. The present research suggests that there are relatively few factors distinguishing pain patients based on age. Moreover, age should not be a significant factor to consider when offering patients multidisciplinary treatment for chronic pain that focuses on psychological as well as physical modalities.