Epidemiological characteristics of chronic pain and influencing factors in older adults aged 65 years and above in 18 longevity areas in China

Objective: To explore the epidemiological characteristics of chronic pain and influencing factors in old adults aged ≥65 years in 18 longevity areas in China. Methods: Based on cross-sectional data from the 2021 China Healthy Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study. The information about the demographic characteristics, lifestyles, cognitive function, and disease history of the older adults were collected through face-to-face interviews. The study participants were divided into two groups (pain group and non-pain group) by using numerical rating scale. The area, population and age specific epidemiological characteristics of chronic pain were described. Unconditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of chronic pain. Results: A total of 5 874 old adults were included in the study, with an average age of (85.59±11.65) years. The prevalence of chronic pain was 61.25% (3 598/5 874). The prevalence of chronic pain was higher in central China (66.40%) than in eastern China (58.91%) and western China (58.88%), higher in southern China (63.34%) than in northern China (58.49%) and higher in women (65.63%) than in men (55.38%). Lower back was the most common site for severe pain (32.46%), followed by knee (31.75%) and shoulder/neck/back (9.89%). Logistic regression model results showed that living in central China (OR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.09-1.59), being women (OR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.46-2.00), moderate/inferior financial status (OR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.02-1.45), being overweight (OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.09-1.59) and obese (OR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.33-2.13), suffering from five or more chronic diseases (OR=1.33, 95%CI: 1.08-1.63), depression (OR=2.25, 95%CI: 1.89-2.67), and hypertension (OR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.13-1.46) were risk factors for chronic pain in the pld adults, while self-assessed good health status (OR=0.44, 95%CI: 0.36-0.55) was a protective factor (all P<0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic pain was relatively high in old adults aged ≥65 years in China, and there were significant area, age and gender specific differences. Many factors influencing chronic pain existed. It is necessary to strengthen pain intervention and management in women, those with poor economic conditions, poor health status and depression.