Investigation of pain and life satisfaction in older adults.

AIM: The present study aimed to investigate pain and life satisfaction in older adults. METHODS: This study, which is descriptive in nature, utilized the relational screening model. It was carried out between September 2016 and March 2017, with 387 people aged ≥65 years who were registered in Family Health Centers in Agri, a city located in eastern Turkey. RESULTS: The participants' mean Geriatric Pain Measure score was 53.23 ± 29.40, indicating moderate pain. The mean Life Satisfaction Scale score was 8.50 ± 5.34, indicating moderate life satisfaction level. The study also found a statistically significant, negative relationship between life satisfaction and geriatric pain. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the elderly population brings various health problems. The results of the present study showed that the rate of chronic diseases is very high in older adults. Therefore, pain is one of the most frequently encountered health problems, and it has negative effects on life satisfaction. In conclusion, is it considered that older adults' life satisfaction could increase if their pain is identified and reduced effectively. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 5-11.

Cultural Validation and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Geriatric Pain Measure in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: Many pain problems and untreated pain are known to adversely affect the quality of life of the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Geriatric Pain Measure (GPM) in the elderly. METHODS: This research was carried out on 244 elderly who were recruited from a university hospital. Content validity, criterion validity, and factorial construct validity were used to test the validity stages; internal consistency and item analysis were used to determine the reliability of the Turkish GPM. RESULTS: For content validity, the Kendall goodness-of-fit correlation test was performed (Kendall's W = 0.275, P = 0.07). The criterion validity of the GPM was determined by item analysis based on the differences between averages of upper-lower group item scores that were significant (t = 38.597, P < 0.005). According to the factor analysis results of the scale, factor loadings were significant, with standardized loadings ranging from 0.40 to 0.87. Cronbach's alpha was found to be reliable for the total scale (0.85), and subscale alpha coefficients ranged from 0.67 to 0.93. The item analysis of the scale showed that all of the correlations between the items of the scale were significant. CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the GPM was found to be a reliable and valid tool to measure the quality and severity of pain in the elderly.

Pain measurement in the elderly: evaluation of psychometric properties of the Geriatric Pain Measure – Portuguese version / Mensuração da dor em idosos: avaliação das propriedades psicométricas da versão em português do Geriatric Pain Measure

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The "Geriatric Pain Measure" was developed for multidimensional pain evaluation in the elderly, being easy to apply and understand. It has already been translated and transculturally adapted to Brazil (Geriatric Pain Measure-P). This study aimed at evaluating its psychometric properties, checking whether they are adequate. METHODS: Participated in the study 70 community elderly, aged 60 years or above, of both genders, with chronic pain (three months or longer), with intensity equal to or higher than 30 mm according to the pain visual analog scale. Socio-demographic characteristics, pain duration and intensity were evaluated. For reliability and validity, two interviewers have applied the Geriatric Pain Measure and, in up to 14 days, a single interviewer has reapplied it. For validity, the Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Total Adjusted Score" and its questions related to pain intensity (Q 19 and 20) were correlated to the visual analog scale and, in a subsample, the Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Total Adjusted Score" was correlated to daily life functionality. RESULTS: Sample was made up especially of long-lived elderly females, widows, with low education and moderate to severe pain. Internal consistency was adequate (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.729) and reproducibility was satisfactory (low variability without statistically significant differences). The Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Total Adjusted Score" and the visual analog scale had low correlation but it was regular for Q19 and Q20 of the Geriatric Pain Measure-P and for the visual analog scale (19 r=45.5%, 20 r=51.9%; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Geriatric Pain Measure-P had its psychometric properties analyzed and adequate reliability and validity were found. It was easy to apply and understand, demanding a short period of time. .

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O "Geriatric Pain Measure" foi desenvolvido para avaliação multidimensional da dor em idosos, sendo de fácil aplicabilidade e compreensão. Já foi traduzido e adaptado transculturalmente para o Brasil (Geriatric Pain Measure- P). O objetivo deste estudo foi estudar suas propriedades psicométricas, verificando se são adequadas. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 70 idosos da comunidade, com 60 anos ou mais, de ambos os gêneros, com dor crônica (três meses ou mais), de intensidade maior ou igual a 30mm segundo a escala analógica visual de dor. Foram apuradas as características sócio-demográficas, intensidade e duração da dor. Para as propriedades confiabilidade e validade, dois entrevistadores aplicaram o Geriatric Pain Measure e, em até 14 dias, apenas um entrevistador o reaplicou. Para a validade, o Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Escore Total Ajustado" e suas questões relacionadas à intensidade dolorosa (Q19 e 20) foram correlacionadas com escala analógica visual, e ainda, numa subamostra, o Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Escore Total Ajustado" foi correlacionado com funcionalidade na vida diária. RESULTADOS: amostra foi composta principalmente por idosas longevas, viúvas, de baixa escolaridade e com dor de intensidade moderada a intensa. A consistência interna foi adequada (alfa de Cronbach=0,729) e a reprodutibilidade satisfatória (variabilidade baixa e sem diferenças estatisticamente significativas). O Geriatric Pain Measure-P "Escore Total Ajustado" e a escala analógica visual apresentaram baixa correlação, mas a mesma foi regular para Q19 e Q20 do Geriatric Pain Measure-P e para a escala analógica visual (19 r=45,5%, 20 r=51,9%; p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: O Geriatric Pain Measure-P teve propriedades psicométricas analisadas, sendo apuradas confiabilidade e validade adequadas. Foi de fácil aplicabilidade e compreensão, demandando curto período de tempo. .