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. 2014 Dec;62(12):2350-6.
doi: 10.1111/jgs.13135.

Higher Perceived Stress Scale scores are associated with higher pain intensity and pain interference levels in older adults

Robert S White  1 , Julie Jiang, Charles B Hall, Mindy J Katz, Molly E Zimmerman, Martin Sliwinski, Richard B Lipton
Affiliations

Higher Perceived Stress Scale scores are associated with higher pain intensity and pain interference levels in older adults

Robert S White et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of bodily pain measures (pain intensity and interference) in elderly people and their relationship with Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Community.

Participants: A representative community sample of 578 individuals aged 70 and older (mean age 78.8, 63% female).

Measurements: The prevalence of pain intensity and pain interference and their relationship with PSS scores, demographic factors, past medical history, and neuropsychological testing scores were examined. Pain intensity and pain interference were measured using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Survey bodily pain questions.

Results: Bivariate analysis for pain measures showed that PSS scores, neuropsychological test scores, and medical histories were associated with pain intensity and interference. Logistic regression showed that higher PSS scores were significantly associated with greater odds of having moderate to severe pain intensity and moderate to severe pain interference (with and without the inclusion of pain intensity in the models).

Conclusion: Higher PSS scores are associated with greater pain intensity and interference. In this cross-sectional analysis, directionality cannot be determined. Because perceived stress and pain are potentially modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and other poor health outcomes, future research should address temporality and the benefits of treatment.

Keywords: chronic pain; elderly; pain intensity; pain interference.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Dr. White is supported by grants UL1TR000086, TL1RR000087, and KL2TR000088; reports no conflict of interest. Ms Jiang is supported by grants UL1TR000086, TL1RR000087, KL2TR000088, and T32-GM007288; reports no conflict of interest. Dr. Hall is supported by CDC grants 1U01-OH10412-01 (Project Primary Investigator), 1U01OH010411-01, 1U01OH010513-01, NIH grants P01 AG03949, R01 AG034119, R01 AG022092, UL1 RR025750, and P30 CA013330, along with CDC contracts 200-2011-39378 and 200-2011-39489; reports no conflict of interest. Ms. Katz is supported by grants NIA 2P01 AG003949, NIA R03 AG045474, and NIA R01 AG039409; has an outstanding contract with Bristol Myers Squibb, Inc. Dr. Zimmerman is a co-investigator on NIH AG003949; reports no conflict of interest. Dr. Sliwinski is supported by NIA grant number R01 AG39409; reports no conflict of interest. Dr. Lipton is supported by grants from the NIH [PO1 AG03949 (Program Director), PO1AG027734 (Project Leader), RO1AG025119 (Investigator), RO1AG022374-06A2 (Investigator), RO1AG034119 (Investigator), RO1AG12101 (Investigator), K23AG030857 (Mentor), K23NS05140901A1 (Mentor), and K23NS47256 (Mentor), the National Headache Foundation, and the Migraine Research Fund; serves on the editorial boards of Neurology and Cephalalgia and as senior advisor to Headache, has reviewed for the NIA and NINDS, holds stock options in eNeura Therapeutics (a company without commercial products); serves as consultant, advisory board member, or has received honoraria from: Allergan, American Headache Society, Autonomic Technologies, Boston Scientific, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cognimed, Colucid, Eli Lilly, eNeura Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, MAP, Merck, Nautilus Neuroscience, Novartis, NuPathe, Vedanta, Zogenix.

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