[Characterization of chronic pain and analgesic approaches among community-dwelling elderly].

Objective: To characterize chronic pain and analgesic approaches in community- dwelling elderly of the northern district of Londrina - Brazil.

Methods: Cross-sectional study with individuals 60 years old and more, resident in the local area of a Basic Health Unit (UBS) of Londrina, by home inquiry. Chronic pain was defined as pain lasting for six months or more. The elderly with pain, were questioned about characteristics of the pain as regards location, duration, frequency, intensity, improvement and worsening situations, as well as the impact of pain in the quality of life and also about analgesic approaches.

Results: One hundred and seventy two elderly were interviewed (101 women and 71 men). Presence of chronic pain was observed in 107 (62.%) of these 69.3% were female and 52.1% male (p = 0.004). The very old people, 80-year-old or more (p=0.01) and the depressive elderly (p=0.0008) presented higher frequency of chronic pain. Most prevalent pains were in the legs and back, with 31.2% each, and the majority of elderly referred to continuous, daily high intensity pain. Regarding analgesic approaches, the pharmacologic method was mentioned by 86 elderly (80.4%) and simple analgesic (32.6%) was the most used.

Conclusion: Facts show that there is a high predominance of chronic pain in the population of elderly, mainly in women, in very old people and in depressive individuals.