Persons over the age of 65 years with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)
pain were recruited for this study via advertisements in 24 US newspapers
and mailed a questionnaire that addressed pain intensity, pain interference,
and health-related quality of life. Respondents were also asked about
their use of medication for shingles pain. A total of 385 persons completed
the survey; 61% were over 75 years old. Mean duration of PHN was 3.3
years. Only about one-half had taken prescription medication for shingles
pain during the prior week; dosages were typically low. Mean pain interference
(0- to 10-point scale) with general activity was 3.7, mood--4.3, relations
with other people--3.0, sleep--3.8, and enjoyment of life--4.5. Mean
pain interference with general activity--3.7, mood--4.3, relations with
other people--3.0, sleep--3.8, and enjoyment of life--4.5. Respondents
rated their overall health as 65.7 on a 100-point scale. PHN causes
substantial pain, dysfunction, and poor health-related quality of life
in older persons, many of whom might be undertreated. The researchers
suggest that many older persons over the age of 65 with PHN experience
longstanding, severe, and debilitating pain and poor health-related
quality of life, and their levels of dissatisfaction with treatment
are high. Oster G, Harding G, Dukes E, Edelsberg J, Cleary PD. J Pain.
2005 Jun;6(6):356-63.
Read more: PMID 15943957
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15943957&query_hl=36
Credit: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the
National
Library of Medicine (NLM).
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