Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Pain, and Quality of Life Among Older Adults in Rural China: An Observational, Cross-Sectional, Multi-Center Study

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the incidence of anxiety and depression and examine their cross-sectional associations with chronic pain and quality of life among older adults in rural China.

Design: Observational, multi-center, cross-sectional study.

Methods: A structured, self-report questionnaire was administered. Descriptive statistics analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis were performed.

Findings: 244 participants (female: 47.1%) filled out the questionnaires. 87 (35.7%) had symptoms of anxiety and 123 (50.4%) had symptoms of depression. The sensory pain descriptor, affective pain descriptor, physical component summary, and mental component summary significantly influenced symptoms of anxiety while affective pain descriptor, physical component summary, and mental component summary significantly influenced symptoms of depression.

Conclusion: Subjective pain experiences and QoL, including physical and mental domains, are strongly related to symptoms of anxiety and depression among older adults in rural China.

Clinical evidence: Interventions that highlight subjective pain experiences and QoL may help to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults.