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Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
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Association between chronic pain and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhenzhi Wang1, Zhen Sun2, Hui Zheng3
1The Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1166 Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611100, China.
European Journal of Ageing
|May 22, 2024
Summary
Individuals with chronic pain (CP) face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. This systematic review confirms a 1.42-fold increased risk, highlighting the crucial link between pain and cognitive decline in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Neurology
- Epidemiology of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Background:
- Dementia and chronic pain (CP) are common conditions in the elderly population.
- A systematic review on the association between dementia and CP was lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the association between chronic pain and dementia.
- To quantify the risk of dementia in individuals with chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to September 2022.
- Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS).
- Meta-analysis using fixed or random-effects models was employed to pool risk estimates.
Main Results:
- Nineteen studies (1 cross-sectional, 18 cohort) were included from 3296 retrieved articles.
- Chronic pain was associated with a 1.42-fold increased risk of dementia (HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.23-1.64, P < 0.001).
- Subtypes of dementia and CP, gender, and age did not significantly alter this association.
Conclusions:
- Chronic pain is a significant risk factor for developing dementia.
- The increased risk of dementia associated with chronic pain is consistent across different dementia and CP subtypes, genders, and age groups.
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