Factors Associated With Chronic Pain in Older Adults: Second Phase of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP) Cohort Study in North of Iran

Objectives Chronic pain is common among older adults. However, limited information exists regarding the factors that predict the onset or persistence of chronic pain in this age group. Studying these factors can help manage the problem at individual and population-based levels. This study aims to investigate the factors associated with chronic pain in older adults in Amirkola, Mazandaran, north of Iran. Methods & Materials This is a descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design, a part of the second phase of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP) cohort study in northern Iran. Participants were 1675 older adults living in Amirkola city. They were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of chronic pain. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), a musculoskeletal chronic pain questionnaire, the geriatric depression scale (GDS), the physical activity scale for the elderly (PASE), the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and the FRAIL scale. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 24. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In this study, 54.6% of older people were male, 83.3% were married, and 57.9% were illiterate, with the mean age of 69.74±7.3 years. Overall, 67.6% had chronic pain, which was more prevalent among older women, unmarried people, those with lower education levels, users of sleep pills, those with depressive symptoms, those with cognitive impairment, those with poor sleep quality, those with chronic diseases, frail people (P<0.001), and those living alone (P=0.004). The multiple logistic regression model indicated that the number of chronic diseases (OR=1.32, 95% CI, 1.41%, 1.24%, P<0.001), the presence of depressive symptoms (OR=1.56, 95% CI, 1.19%, 2.02%, P<0.001), and poor sleep quality (OR=1.32, 95% CI, 1.02%, 1.72%, P=0.04) were significantly associated with chronic pain Conclusion Chronic pain is common among older adults in Amirkola City. It is associated with depression, poor sleep quality, and chronic diseases. Therefore, it is needed to develop preventive strategies and effective management approaches to improve sleep quality and physical and mental health of older adults, fostering healthy aging.