Changes in fish and coffee intake and pain intensity in older adults: longitudinal results from the COPERNICUS study

Pain intensity frequently increases with age, impacting quality of life in older adults. Fish and coffee consumption, may influence pain trajectories, but longitudinal evidence remains limited.

To investigate the association between changes in fish and coffee consumption frequency and alterations in pain intensity over 2 years in older adults.

A longitudinal observational study assessing changes in dietary patterns and pain intensity over a 2-year follow-up.

A sample of 205 healthy older adults was evaluated at baseline and after 2 years. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (0-10). Coffee and fish consumption frequencies were recorded weekly and categorized as decreased, no change, or increased over the study period. Analyses were adjusted for confounders: age, sex, depression severity changes, health self-assessment, and analgesic use.

An increase in fish consumption, compared to a decrease, was associated with a 4.45-point reduction in pain intensity (95% CI: -7.06 to -1.84; P = 0.003). Increasing fish intake relative to no change corresponded to a 2-point reduction (95% CI: -3.71 to -0.29; P = 0.03). Conversely, increased coffee intake, compared to a decrease, was linked to a 6.56-point rise in pain intensity (95% CI: 3.93 to 9.19; P = 0.0001), and compared to no change, with a 2.83-point increase (95% CI: 1.48 to 4.18; P = 0.0004).

Increasing fish consumption was associated with changes in pain intensity in older adults, while increased coffee intake was linked to higher pain levels, however, caution is needed interpreting conclusions.