Are changes in pain, cognitive appraisals and coping strategies associated with changes in physical functioning in older adults with joint pain and chronic diseases?

Background: As the population ages, the number of people with chronic diseases increases. Frequently, older people suffer from joint pain together with other chronic diseases, which can lead to decreased physical functioning.

Aims: To investigate the associations of the changes in cognitive appraisals, coping strategies and pain with the change in physical functioning in older people, who have chronic pain and chronic diseases.

Self-perceived care needs in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore self-perceived care needs and determinants of identified needs in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using baseline data from a cohort study of older adults in the Netherlands (≥65 years) with joint pain and comorbidity (n = 407). We used the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE) to assess self-perceived care needs.

The longitudinal association of cognitive appraisals and coping strategies with physical functioning in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity: a cohort study.

Background: Substantial variation exists in physical functioning (PF) among patients with comparable pain severity, which may be partly explained by underlying psychological processes, like cognitive appraisal of pain and coping with pain. It remains unclear to what extent such determinants contribute to changes in PF over time, especially in older populations. Therefore, we examined longitudinal associations of cognitive appraisals and coping strategies with PF, in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity.

Trajectories of physical functioning and their prognostic indicators: a prospective cohort study in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify and characterize homogeneous subgroups of individuals with distinct trajectories of physical functioning (PF) and to examine prognostic indicators of deterioration in PF in a highly heterogeneous population of older adults with joint pain and comorbidity.

Study Design: A prospective cohort study among 407 older adults with joint pain and comorbidity provided data over a period of 18 months, with 6 month time-intervals. We used latent class growth modelling (LCGM) to identify underlying subgroups (clusters) with distinct trajectories of PF.

Frequency, severity and determinants of functional limitations in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity: results of a cross-sectional study.

Older adults with joint pain and comorbidity are especially at risk of becoming functionally impaired. Therefore, we studied the frequency and severity of functional limitations and identified potential modifiable determinants that may reduce functional limitations. A prospective cohort study of older adults (≥65 years) with joint pain and comorbidity provided cross-sectional baseline data (n=407).

Exploring the aggregation of four functional measures in a population of older adults with joint pain and comorbidity.

Background: In clinical settings, it is important for health care providers to measure different aspects of functioning in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity. Besides the use of distinct measures, it could also be attractive to have one general measure of functioning that incorporates several distinct measures, but provides one summary score to quantify overall level of functioning, for example for the identification of older adults at risk of poor functional outcome. Therefore, we selected four measures of functioning: Physical Functioning (PF), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and participation, and tested the possibility to aggregate these measures into one general measure of functioning.

Self-perceived met and unmet care needs of frail older adults in primary care.

In order to provide adequate care for frail older adults in primary care it is essential to have insight into their care needs. Our aim was to describe the met and unmet care needs as perceived by frail older adults using a multi-dimensional needs assessment, and to explore their associations with socio-demographic and health-related characteristics. Cross-sectional baseline data were used from the Frail older Adults: Care in Transition (ACT) study in the Netherlands, consisting of 1137 community dwelling frail older adults aged 65 and above.

Social participation in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity; testing the measurement properties of the Dutch Keele Assessment of Participation.

Objective: The Keele Assessment of Participation (KAP) questionnaire measures person-perceived participation in 11 aspects of life. Participation allows fulfilment of valued life activities and social roles, which are important to older adults. Since we aimed to use the KAP in a larger Dutch cohort, we examined the measurement properties of KAP in a Dutch sample of older adults with joint pain and comorbidity.

Functional outcome in older adults with joint pain and comorbidity: design of a prospective cohort study.

Background: Joint pain is a highly prevalent condition in the older population. Only a minority of the older adults consult the general practitioner for joint pain, and during consultation joint pain is often poorly recognized and treated, especially when other co-existing chronic conditions are involved. Therefore, older adults with joint pain and comorbidity may have a higher risk of poor functional outcome and decreased quality of life (QoL), and possibly need more attention in primary care.