Markovics Dorina, Virág Andrea, Gadó Klara
Department of Geriatrics, and Centre of Nursing Sciences, Semmelweis University, 1097 Budapest, Hungary.
Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
Geriatrics (Basel). 2025 Aug 14;10(4):110. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics10040110.
Pain is a fundamental yet complex biological and psychosocial phenomenon. While acute pain serves as a defense mechanism, alerting the body to potential tissue damage, chronic pain loses this protective function and becomes a persistent, independent condition. Chronic pain in the elderly is particularly significant due to age-related changes in pain perception, a higher prevalence of comorbidities, and an increased susceptibility to pharmacological side effects. Diagnosing pain in older adults presents unique challenges owing to cognitive decline, multimorbidity, and impaired communication. This narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge on chronic pain in the elderly, with a particular emphasis on diagnostic difficulties, therapeutic strategies, and the essential role of nurses in multidisciplinary management. Both objective scales and subjective assessment tools are essential for an accurate evaluation. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach that integrates individualized pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Analgesic use must be tailored to account for altered pharmacokinetics and risks such as sedation or falls. Non-drug interventions, including physiotherapy and psychological techniques, are especially valuable in geriatric care. Nurses play a pivotal role in the recognition, assessment, and ongoing management of pain in this population. Developing age-appropriate, personalized strategies is essential for improving the quality of life in older adults living with chronic pain.
疼痛是一种基本但复杂的生物和社会心理现象。急性疼痛作为一种防御机制，提醒身体注意潜在的组织损伤，而慢性疼痛则失去了这种保护功能，成为一种持续的、独立的病症。由于与年龄相关的疼痛感知变化、合并症患病率较高以及对药物副作用的易感性增加，老年人的慢性疼痛尤为显著。由于认知能力下降、多种疾病并存以及沟通障碍，诊断老年人的疼痛存在独特的挑战。本叙述性综述旨在总结目前关于老年人慢性疼痛的知识，特别强调诊断困难、治疗策略以及护士在多学科管理中的重要作用。客观量表和主观评估工具对于准确评估都至关重要。有效的管理需要一种多学科方法，整合个性化的药物和非药物疗法。镇痛药物的使用必须根据药代动力学的改变以及诸如镇静或跌倒等风险进行调整。非药物干预措施，包括物理治疗和心理技术，在老年护理中尤其有价值。护士在识别、评估和持续管理该人群的疼痛方面发挥着关键作用。制定适合年龄的个性化策略对于提高患有慢性疼痛的老年人的生活质量至关重要。
