Pain Management in the Elderly: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Pain Management
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Increasing life expectancy leads to a higher prevalence of octogenarians and nonagenarians in clinical settings.
• Elderly patients often present with multiple comorbidities and polypharmacy, complicating pain management.
• Chronic pain, frequently linked to degenerative processes, poses significant challenges in managing older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and collate existing evidence on best practices for pain management in the elderly population.
• To provide clinicians with guidance for addressing the complexities of pain in older adults.
• To synthesize current knowledge on managing chronic pain in geriatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of available literature.
• Collated evidence from clinical studies and expert consensus.
• Focused on pain management strategies specifically for elderly patients.

Main Results:

• Evidence synthesis on effective pain management approaches for the elderly.
• Identification of challenges and considerations in geriatric pain management.
• Compilation of best practices for clinical application.

Conclusions:

• Effective pain management in the elderly requires a comprehensive approach considering comorbidities and polypharmacy.
• Best practices involve tailored strategies to address chronic pain related to degenerative conditions.
• Further research is needed to optimize pain relief and improve quality of life for older adults.