Pain in Older People

Pain in later life is both quite common and disabling, and it differs significantly in terms of its aetiology, diagnosis and treatment from pain in the general adult population. Older people often have complicated co-morbidities, have a high prevalence of mental health problems (e.g., anxiety, cognitive impairment, and depression) and respond to treatment in different ways compared to younger people. Their specific needs are rarely discussed specifically in more general texts.

Part of the "Oxford Pain Management Library," this pocketbook will serve as a concise companion for healthcare professionals who manage older patients suffering with pain. Concise chapters will summarise up-to-date research literature in a practical style that will have direct relevance to busy clinicians. Introductory chapters will include the epidemiology of pain in older people as well as the proper assessment of older patients with pain conditions. Later chapters will focus on specific painful conditions common in the elderly, including arthritis and rheumatism, osteoporosis, abdominal pain, and cancer.

The book will appeal to a wide variety of health care professionals in both primary care and secondary care services such as geriatric medicine, rheumatology, orthopaedics, surgery, pain management and palliative medicine. The book will also be of relevance to nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, pharmacists and other health care providers.