Factors associated with quality of life of older adults with chronic pain

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with quality of life of the older adults with chronic pain. Method: Cross-sectional study conducted with 239 older adults in outpatient care in the state of Goiás, Brazil. The World Health Organization Quality of Life–Old (WHOQOL-OLD) instrument contains six domains and was applied to assess quality of life. Simple and multiple linear regressions were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The factors associated with Sensory Abilities were age (β =-0.52), time spent together (β =-14.35;-17.86;-15.57), and pain intensity (β =-1, 70). Autonomy was associated with depression (β =-5.99) and chest pain (β =-6.17). Social participation related to schooling (β =-0.64), diabetes mellitus (β =-8.15), depression (β =-14.53), pain intensity (β =-1.43), and lower limb pain (β =-5.94). Past, present and future activities related to depression (β =-6.94). Death and dying related to hypertension (β =-8.40), while Intimacy to depression (β =-5.99) and headache/face pain (β =-3.19). Conclusion: The time experiencing chronic pain and the location of this experience, as well as depression, diabetes and systemic arterial hypertension were factors that had greater influence on the older adult’s Quality of Life domains.