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Demographics, Pharmacoeconomics, Assessment, and Treatment of Pain in the Elderly

Duquesne University in the Mylan School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Palliative Care Consulting Group in Dublin, Ohio, berdine{at}duq.edu

Mary Grace Mihalyo, Pharm D

Duquesne University in the Mylan School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Palliative Care Consulting Group in Dublin, Ohio

The burden of pain in the elderly population of our society is observed by the greater numbers of the aged who suffer from pain as compared to their younger counterparts. The elderly present difficult challenges for pain clinicians in terms of the ability to assess for pain, amid other medical and pain problems, due to cognitive, sensory, and functional impairment. Treatment with pharmaceuticals may be altered by the impact of aging. Finally, the elderly suffer financial restraints that often prevent optimal treatment of pain even if pain is identified. Principles of pain management in the elderly are reviewed in the context of special attention to assessment tools for the elderly, the evaluation of comorbid factors in the presentation of pain, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic concerns in the aging. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment strategies are described relative to the elder.

Key Words: Pain • elderly • financial barriers • pharmacokinetic

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