PAIN, PLACE OF DEATH, AND USE OF PAIN TREATMENT AT THE END OF LIFE: URBAN–RURAL DIFFERENCE AMONG CHINESE OLDER ADULTS
2024

Pain Treatment and Place of Death in Chinese Older Adults

Sample size: 958 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Pei Yaolin, Lou Yifan, Qi Xiang, Zhu Zheng, Wang Jing, Wu Bei

Hypothesis

The study investigates the prevalence of pain and the association between pain, place of death, and pain treatment among older adults in urban and rural settings.

Conclusion

Rural older adults with severe pain symptoms who die at home are less likely to receive timely and effective pain treatment compared to their urban counterparts.

Supporting Evidence

  • 26.4% of the decedents did not receive prompt and effective pain treatment.
  • 66.50% of decedents’ families were not able to control the pain for the decedent.
  • 41.96% of the decedents had severe pain symptoms.
  • Older adults who were rural residents and had severe pain symptoms were less likely to receive timely pain treatment.

Takeaway

Older people often have pain when they are dying, and those living in the countryside might not get the help they need for their pain as quickly as those in the city.

Methodology

Logistic regression models were used to analyze end-of-life module data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey conducted in 2020.

Participant Demographics

Decedents aged 60 and above from both urban and rural areas in China.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1745

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication