The effect of death anxiety on perceived pain levels in elderly patients

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between death anxiety—a significant issue for the elderly—and the pain levels in these individuals with increasing complaints of diseases with ageing. Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included geriatric patients who presented to the Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine between 15.12.2018 and15.02.2019 for outpatient treatment and scored over 25 in the Mini-Mental test (MMT). Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM) and Turkish Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS) were used for assessment. Results: Of the 315 individuals, aged 65 years and above, who participated in the study, 58.4% were in the 65–69 age group with 52.7% males. A positive and statistically significant relationship was observed between GPM total score and TDAS total score, as well as its subscales, namely ambiguity of death, exposure to death and agony of death. A positive and statistically significant relationship was determined between the TDAS total score and GPM subscales, namely disengagement, pain intensity, pain at ambulation and pain during vigorous activities. Conclusion: A positive relationship was observed between death anxiety and perceived pain in the elderly. The strongest relationship was determined between pain and anxiety because of the ambiguity of death. Many sociodemographic factors are related to death anxiety and the level of perceived pain. Therefore, death anxiety and pain may affect the quality of life for the elderly and should be promptly treated.