2Kocaeli Derince Training and Research Hospital, Psychiatry Clinic, KOCAELÄ° Introduction: The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain on depression and activities of daily living in geriatric patients.
Materials and Method: The current study was conducted with 234 patients with a mean age of 67.2±4.2 years. Pain duration, pain severity, number of painful areas, chronic diseases, drugs used, and number of recurrent falls in the past year were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups, with and without neuropathic pain, according to the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Patients were also evaluated on the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Index.
Results: We identified 62 (26.4%) patients with neuropathic pain. The patients' mean Geriatric Depression Scale score was 18.4±4.2, while the mean Geriatric Depression Scale score for the non-neuropathic pain group was 12.5±3.7. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.04). Scores on the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living index showed no significant difference between the two pain groups. The neuropathic pain group was significantly higher than the non-neuropathic pain group with respect to chronic diseases, number of drugs used, and the number of falls in the past year (p=0.03, p=0.02, p=0.02, respectively).
Conclusion: There is a fairly high rate of neuropathic pain in the geriatric population. Neuropathic pain should be investigated in this population, especially in those with chronic diseases. In addition, patients with neuropathic pain should be assessed for depression.
Keywords : Neuralgia; Pain; Geriatrics; Aging; Depression; Activities of Daily Living