Kwentus J A, Harkins S W, Lignon N, Silverman J J
Geriatrics. 1985 Apr;40(4):48-54, 57.
Because stress and depression are prevalent in the elderly, the opportunity for pain to intensify stress and depression may be greater in older people than in the general population. Evidence that pain-related psychosomatic complaints are more frequent in the elderly further complicates the issue. Antidepressants that affect serotonergic systems may have analgesic properties independent of their antidepressant properties; eg, amitriptyline and doxepin. These drugs may have a more rapid effect on pain than on depression.
由于压力和抑郁在老年人中很普遍，疼痛加剧压力和抑郁的可能性在老年人中可能比在普通人群中更大。有证据表明，与疼痛相关的身心不适在老年人中更为常见，这使得问题更加复杂。影响血清素能系统的抗抑郁药可能具有独立于其抗抑郁特性的镇痛特性；例如，阿米替林和多塞平。这些药物对疼痛的作用可能比对抑郁的作用更快。
