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Neuropathic pain considerations in the aging population
Gisèle Pickering1, Marie-Eva Pickering2, Magdalena Kocot-Kępska3
1Platform of Clinical Investigation Department, University Hospital Clermont-Ferrand, Inserm CIC 1405; Neurodol Inserm 1107, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
|July 15, 2025
Summary
Neuropathic pain is common in older adults due to age-related conditions. Optimizing management involves proactive assessment, tailored pharmacotherapy, and combined treatment approaches for better quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Pain Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Older adults are disproportionately affected by neuropathic pain.
- Aging is linked to increased comorbidities, immune dysfunction, and neuropathic pain triggers like herpes zoster, diabetes, and CNS pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence, evaluation, and treatment of neuropathic pain in older persons.
- To discuss strategies for optimizing the management of neuropathic pain in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent publications on neuropathic pain in various pathologies affecting older adults.
- Development of a consensus on pharmacotherapy and an algorithm for neuropathic pain management.
Main Results:
- Neuropathic pain is highly prevalent in the elderly population.
- A combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies is crucial for effective management.
- Careful dosing and adaptation of pharmacotherapy are necessary, considering adverse events and quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Proactive identification of neuropathic pain in older adults is essential.
- Prevention initiatives, including vaccination and improved surgical care, require expansion.
- Optimized management necessitates a multidisciplinary approach tailored to the aging population.
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