PAIN MANAGEMENT
Download
Report
Transcript PAIN MANAGEMENT
PAIN MANAGEMENT
IN ELDERLY PERSONS
UCLA Multicampus Program of
Geriatrics and Gerontology
Physicians Have a Moral Obligation to
Provide Comfort and Pain Management
Especialy for those near the end of life!
Pain is the most feared complication of illness
Pain is the second leading complaint in
physicians’ offices
Often under-diagnosed and under-treated
Effects on mood, functional status, and quality
of life
Associated with increased health service use
18% of Elderly Persons
Take Analgesic Medications Regularly
(daily or more than 3 times a week)
71 % take prescription analgesics
– 63% for more than 6 months
72% take OTC analgesics
– Median duration more than 5 years
26% report side-effects
– 10% were hospitalized
– 41% take medications for side-effects
ELDERLY PATIENTS TAKING PAIN
MEDICATIONS FOR CHRONIC PAIN WHO
HAD SEEN A DOCTOR IN THE PAST YEAR
79% had seen a primary care physician
17% had seen a orthopedist
9% had seen a rheumatologist
6% had seen a neurologist
5% had seen a pain specialist
5% had seen a chiropractor
20% had seen more than 5 doctors
Common Causes of Pain
In Elderly Persons
Osteoarthritis
– back, knee, hip
Night-time leg cramps
Claudication
Neuropathies
– idiopathic, traumatic, diabetic, herpetic
Cancer
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PAIN
Myth: Pain is expected with aging.
Fact: Pain is not normal with aging.
PAIN THRESHOLD WITH AGING
Author
Stimulus
Threshold
Shumacher, 1940
Thermal
No Change
Birren, 1950
Thermal
No Change
Sherman, 1964
Electric/Tooth
Higher
Collins, 1968
Electric/Skin
Lower
Harkins, 1977
Electric/Tooth
No Change
Tucker, 1989
Electric/Skin
Higher
Age Related Differences in
Sensory Receptor Function
Encapsulated end organs
– 50% reduction in Pacini’s
– 10-30% reduction Meissner’s/Merkels Disks
Free nerve endings
– no age change
Age Related Differences in
Peripheral Nerve Function
Myelinated nerves
Reduction in density (all sizes including small)
Increase in abnormal/degenerating fibres
Decrease in action potential/slower conduction velocity
Unmyelinated nerves
Reduction in number (1.2-1.6un) not (.4un)
Substance P, CGRP content decreased
Neurogenic inflammation reduced
Age Related Differences in
Central Nervous System Function
Loss of dorsal horn spinal neurons
Altered endogenous inhibition, hyperalgesia.
Loss of neurons in cortex, midbrain, brain stem
(18% reduction in thalamus, no change cingulum
cortex)
Altered cerebral evoked responses (increased latency,
reduced amplitude)
Reduced catecholamines, acetylcholine, GABA, 5HT, not
neuropeptides
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PAIN
Myth: If they don’t complain, they don’t have pain
Fact: There are many reasons patients may be
reluctant to complain, despite pain that
significantly effects their functional status and
mood.
REASONS PATIENTS MAY
NOT REPORT PAIN
Fear of diagnostic tests
Fear of medications
Fear meaning of pain
Perceive physicians and nurses too busy
Complaining may effect quality of care
Believe nothing can or will be done
The most reliable indicator
of the existence pain and its
intensity is the patient’s
description.
There is a lot we can do to
relieve pain!
Analgesic drugs
Non-drug strategies
Specialized pain
treatment centers
Patient and caregiver
education and support
Analgesic Drugs
Acetaminophen
NSAIDs
– Non-selective COX inhibitors
– Selective COX-2 inhibitors
Opioids
Others
–
–
–
–
–
Antidepressants
Anticonvulsants
Substance P inhibitors
NMDA inhibitors
Others
CAUTION
Meperidine (Demerol)
Butorphanol (Stadol)
Pentazocine (Talwin)
Propoxiphene (Darvon)
Methadone (Dolophine)
Transderm Fentanyl (Duragesic)
Do Not Use Placebos!
Unethical in clinical practice
They don’t work
Not helpful in diagnosis
Effect is short lived
Destroys trust
Non-Drug Strategies
Exercise
– PT, OT, stretching,
strengthening
– general conditioning
Physical methods
– ice, heat, massage
Cognitivebehavioral therapy
Chiropracty
Acupuncture
TENS
Alternative therapies
– relaxation, imagery
– herbals
PATIENT AND CAREGIVER
EDUCATION
Diagnosis, prognosis, natural history of
underlying disease
Communication and assessment of pain
Explanation of drug strategies
Management of potential side-effects
Explanation of non-drug strategies