Impact of Chronic Pain on Physical Functioning in
Community Dwelling Elders (NHANES III)

Cheryl Iverson, D.O.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of chronic pain on physical functioning in community dwelling elderly (60+) in the United States from a nationally representative sample.

Methods: Secondary data from the NHANES III, which is a nationally representative sample of community dwelling Americans conducted between 1988-1994, was analyzed. A selection of 5696 adults 60 and over who completed survey were included. Chronic pain was defined as self-reported pain in the back, hips, knees, and hands. Physical functioning was defined described in terms of impairment in Activities of Daily Living and Independent Activities of Daily Living. Simple descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence rate. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between physical functioning and chronic pain while controlling for key potential confounders. 

Results: The results show a significant relationship between chronic pain and physical functioning. The lifetime prevalence of back pain is 27.8%. The lifetime prevalence of knee pain is 23.5%. The lifetime prevalence of hip pain is 14.0%. The lifetime prevalence of hand pain is 18.9%. 

Conclusion: The association between pain complaints and physical functioning in the elderly is consistent over increasing intensity of physical activity. Chronic pain in the elderly is a key public health problem affecting millions of Americans a year. Public health policy must be aimed at treating chronic pain as a source of activity limitations in community dwelling elderly.