A recent study published in the journal eClinicalMedicine indicates that treating depression in older adults can help prevent or lessen future pain. Researchers analyzed data from 3,668 adults over the age of 50, comparing those who frequently experienced moderate to severe pain with a matched group who did not.
The findings revealed that depressive symptoms intensified significantly during the eight years leading up to the onset of pain, peaked at the time pain began, and remained elevated in the years following. In contrast, participants who did not report pain exhibited less severe and more stable depressive symptoms throughout the study period. A similar trend was observed regarding loneliness, which increased in those who experienced pain both before and after its onset, while remaining low and consistent for those without pain.
Although the study did not pinpoint the specific causes of pain, many participants reported discomfort in areas such as the back, knee, hip, or foot. Dr. Mikaela Bloomberg, the lead author from UCL Epidemiology & Public Health, noted, “Pain and depression are interlinked, each worsening the other. This study highlights that depressive symptoms and feelings of loneliness may escalate long before pain starts, suggesting that early mental health interventions could delay or reduce pain outcomes.”
The research utilized data spanning 21 years from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), which surveys a nationally representative sample of older adults in England every two years. The team found that the rise in depressive symptoms among individuals experiencing pain was more pronounced among those with lower educational attainment and income. This may be attributed to limited access to mental health resources and pain management strategies within these groups.
The researchers also explored the relationship between social isolation and pain but found minimal differences between the two groups. They emphasized that quality of relationships could be more relevant than the mere number of social interactions in addressing pain and depression.
Additionally, three-quarters of participants in the pain group reported discomfort in the back, knee, hip, or foot, with a smaller percentage indicating widespread pain or localized pain such as toothache. While the study’s demographic was predominantly white, reflecting the population of England in that age bracket, the researchers called for future studies to assess whether these trends apply to younger, more racially and ethnically diverse groups.
Limitations of the study included the inability to differentiate between general and chronic pain in survey responses. However, the researchers observed consistent results when focusing on participants who reported pain across consecutive surveys, suggesting that the findings are relevant to chronic pain. They adjusted for various factors that could influence outcomes, such as age, education, and health conditions.
This research underscores the need for targeted mental health and community support programs, particularly for vulnerable populations lacking socioeconomic resources.
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