Aims: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between living arrangements, and strength of social network with onset and progression of chronic pain over 2 years in elderly Singaporeans.
Methods: We used data from the Social Isolation Health and Lifestyles Survey, a nationally representative survey of community-dwelling older Singaporeans aged >60 years (n = 4990) in 2009 and follow up in 2011. We used binomial logistic regression models to examine factors associated with self-reported onset and progression of chronic pain over time.
Results: A total of 3103 participants (53.8% women) completed both surveys (weighted response rate 63.7%). The mean age (SD) was 69.4 (0.5) years. The prevalence of mild and moderate-extreme chronic pain at baseline were 27.7% and 12.8%. A total of 20.1% and 3.9% of the participants reported having chronic pain onset and progression over 2 years, respectively. In the binomial regression models, lower education level, living alone and poorer self-rated health were predictors for onset of chronic pain in women. Weak social networks and disability were associated with progression of chronic pain in women.
Conclusions: Chronic pain is common in Singaporean older adults. Living alone and weak social network were sociopsychological factors associated with the onset or progression of chronic pain. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; ●●: ●●-●●.
Keywords: Singapore elderly; chronic pain; cohort study; pain progression; social isolation; social network.
© 2015 Japan Geriatrics Society.