Gerontology & Geriatric Research

GENDER PERSPECTIVES AMONG OLDER PEOPLE LIVING WITH PAIN

4^th International Conference on Geriatrics & Gerontological Nursing

October 3-4, 2016 | London, UK

Lena Sandin Wranker, Mikael Rennemark, Johan Sanmartin Berglund and Solve Elmstahl

Lund University, Sweden
Linnaeus University, Sweden
Blekinge Institute of Technology, Sweden

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriat Res

Abstract:

Background and Aims: Pain is a multidimensional, unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. Its relationship with ageing is unclear. The aim was to investigate pain from a gender perspective, the influence of biological, social, psychological and existential factors on the relationship between pain and quality of life, associations between pain and personality traits, and changes in pain over time. Methods: The studies employed data from the longitudinal Swedish National Study on Aging and Care �?? Blekinge (SNAC-B). A total of 1,402 randomly selected individuals were included. Results: Almost 55% of the participants reported pain, predominantly women, p<0.01. The intensity was rated as moderate or severe (VAS >4) and women scored higher than men, p<0.023. Pain intensity declined with age among men, p<0.013. The strongest OR for low QoL among elderly women was found for pain (OR 2.27, CI 1.36-3.78), which is in contrast to elderly men who suffered from insomnia (OR 1.86, CI 1.04-3.33). Personality traits and pain were related among the older adults but gender differences were observed. The prevalence of pain declines with increasing age, but is still higher among women. The pain relief rate is higher for older men compared to older women. Low external locus of control scores may contribute to pain relief among men (Study IV). Conclusions: Pain is common, especially among women, but declines with increasing age and the intensity also decreases. There are gender differences in how pain influences quality of life. Low external locus of control scores may contribute to pain relief among men.

Biography :

Lena Sandin Wranker has been Graduated from Lund University, Sweden as Medical Doctor, with the specialties including General Medicine, Rehabilitation Medicine and Diploma in Persistent Pain from the The National Board of Health and Welfare. Later on she obtained her PhD from University of Lund with the Gender perspectives on pain among older adults, and then started working at The Lund University where she has continued her research. Presently she is joining the research team at the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) i Malmö.

Email: lena.sandin-wranker@spray.se