Prevalence of chronic pain and analysis of handgrip strength in institutionalized elderly

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Musculoskeletal disorders are accentuated with aging. Among these, chronic pain can influence several functional aspects such as handgrip strength, especially in institutionalized elderly. The objective of this study was to check the prevalence of chronic pain and to analyze the handgrip strength in institutionalized elderly. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out at long-term care facilities in Passo Fundo/RS (20162018). The population was composed of 281 residents, evaluated for sociodemographic variables (medical records), handgrip strength (manual dynamometry), and chronic pain (self-report). The statistical analysis used the descriptive statistics and the Student t-test of independent samples (p≤0.05). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 173 elderly individuals (80.95±8.94 years). The majority lived in private institutions, were women, widows, with 1 to 8 years of education. The prevalence of chronic pain was 39.3%, and the mean handgrip strength was 7.0±6.42kg (right hand) and 6.24±5.96kg (left hand). The handgrip strength was higher in the groups of elderly men (right and left hands: p=0.000) and non-long-living seniors (right hand: p=0.017; left hand: p=0.002). There was no difference in handgrip strength values between the groups with and without chronic pain (p>0.05). Prevalence of chronic pain and analysis of handgrip strength in institutionalized elderly Prevalência de dor crônica e análise da força de preensão manual em idosos institucionalizados Dáfne dos Santos Ribeiro1, Karina Garbin1, Matheus Santos Gomes Jorge2, Marlene Doring3, Marilene Rodrigues Portella3, Lia Mara Wibelinger1,3 Dáfne dos Santos Ribeiro \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3182-9615; Karina Garbin \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1294-7811; Matheus Santos Gomes Jorge \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4989-0572; Marlene Doring \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8551-8551; Marilene Rodrigues Portella \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8455-7126; Lia Mara Wibelinger \ue9d9https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7345-3946. 1. Universidade de Passo Fundo, Faculdade de Educação Física e Fisioterapia, Curso de Fisioterapia, Passo Fundo, RS, Brasil. 2. Universidade de Passo Fundo, Faculdade de Educação Física e Fisioterapia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Envelhecimento Humano, Curso de Fisioterapia. Bolsista Prosuc/ CAPES. Soledade, RS, Brasil. 3. Universidade de Passo Fundo, Faculdade de Educação Física e Fisioterapia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Envelhecimento Humano. Passo Fundo, RS, Brasil. Submitted on March 04, 2019. Accepted for publication on May 21, 2019. Conflict of interests: none – Sponsoring sources: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), PROCAD No 71/2013. Correspondence to: BR 285, Bairro São José 99052-900 Passo Fundo, RS, Brasil E-mail: [email protected] © Sociedade Brasileira para o Estudo da Dor CONCLUSION: Institutionalized elderly present an expressive prevalence of chronic pain and handgrip strength values much lower than expected, being influenced by gender and age.