PAIN AND MOBILITY OF OLDER ADULTS IN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL UNITS: AN EHR-BASED DATA ANALYSIS
2024

Pain and Mobility in Hospitalized Older Adults

Sample size: 19854 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Snigurska Urszula, Ser Sarah, Prosperi Mattia, Bjarnadottir Ragnhildur, Lucero Robert, Manini Todd

Primary Institution: University of Florida

Hypothesis

Pain would be higher in patients with lower mobility.

Conclusion

Mean pain intensity may not be associated with mobility in hospitalized older adults.

Supporting Evidence

  • One in five hospitalized older adults have pain.
  • The mean mobility score was 3.05 in medical and 2.88 in surgical patients.
  • The mean pain score was 1.93 in medical and 2.25 in surgical patients.
  • There was no correlation between pain and mobility in either medical or surgical patients.

Takeaway

Older adults in the hospital often have pain, but having more pain doesn't always mean they have less ability to move around.

Methodology

Analyzed electronic health record data from an academic health center in Florida between 2012 and 2021, using mean pain scores and mobility scores.

Limitations

The study did not account for confounders such as analgesics and the timing of pain and mobility assessments.

Participant Demographics

Older adults, with 13,878 medical and 5,976 surgical patients.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.4039

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