Table 2.
Prevalence of Pain Quality and its relation to Pain Severity, Interference and Multi site/Widespread Pain in Older Adults (n=560)
| Pain Quality Category | Pain Quality Descriptor | Prevalence (%) | Pain Severitya mean ±SD | Pain Severity ≥4 (%) | Pain Interferencea mean ±SD | Multi-site or Widespread Painb (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive/Affective | Troublesome | 63.6 | 3.5 ± 1.9 | 40.0 | 2.7 ± 2.3 | 34.3 |
| Nagging | 55.6 | 3.5 ± 2.0 | 39.8 | 2.8 ± 2.3 | 34.2 | |
| Tiring | 38.4 | 3.9 ± 1.9 | 47.8 | 3.4 ± 2.3 | 39.9 | |
| Miserable | 37.5 | 4.2 ± 1.9 | 53.9 | 3.7 ± 2.4 | 35.9 | |
| Gnawing | 26.9 | 3.6 ± 2.0 | 42.1 | 2.9 ± 2.4 | 36.3 | |
| Exhausting | 23.5 | 4.5 ± 1.9 | 58.1 | 4.3 ± 2.3 | 38.7 | |
| Unbearable | 14.2 | 4.7 ± 2.2 | 63.4 | 3.9 ± 2.6 | 35.4 | |
| Sensory | Aching | 70.1 | 3.4 ± 2.0 | 36.7 | 2.5 ± 2.3 | 35.4 |
| Stiffness | 64.4 | 3.3 ± 1.9 | 34.5 | 2.5 ± 2.2 | 34.3 | |
| Soreness | 57.7 | 3.5 ± 2.0 | 42.0 | 2.7 ± 2.4 | 34.5 | |
| Tender | 41.7 | 3.7 ± 2.1 | 42.9 | 2.9 ± 2.4 | 36.1 | |
| Cramping | 21.8 | 4.0 ± 2.0 | 50.8 | 3.3 ± 2.5 | 32.5 | |
| Throbbing | 21.5 | 4.4 ± 2.1 | 59.8 | 3.6 ± 2.5 | 32.8 | |
| Like a bruise | 21.4 | 3.5 ± 2.0 | 39.0 | 2.7 ± 2.5 | 39.8 | |
| Neuropathic | Sharp | 38.9 | 3.9 ± 2.0 | 49.6 | 3.1 ± 2.5 | 37.0 |
| Penetrating | 33.7 | 4.2 ± 2.0 | 54.4 | 3.4 ± 2.5 | 37.1 | |
| Numb | 22.5% | 3.8 ± 2.0 | 42.3 | 3.1± 2.5 | 43.5% | |
| Shooting | 19.1% | 4.1 ± 1.9 | 50.9 | 3.4 ± 2.5 | 41.8% | |
| Stabbing | 18.9% | 3.7 ± 2.1 | 42.6 | 3.2 ± 2.6 | 32.4% | |
| Burning | 17.0% | 4.0 ± 2.0 | 50.5 | 3.3 ± 2.3 | 36.4% |
Note. Pain quality descriptors listed in order of highest to lowest prevalence by category.
a
Global pain severity and interference was assessed using Brief Pain Inventory.
b
Multisite pain defined as pain in one or more sites based on joint pain assessment (pain in hands and wrists, shoulders, back, hips, knees, or feet lasting 3 or more months in the previous year and present in the previous month). Widespread pain included pain above waist, below waist; and axial skeletal pain (back pain).