Pain Control in the Elderly

• Narcotic pain relievers are often avoided in the elderly due to the concern of sedation, risk of falls and the concern of them causing delirium.
• Delirium can cause significant morbidity and mortality and can be difficult to differentiate between the sedation and mild confusion that often occurs with opioid dose escalation.
• However, delirium has been shown to occur more commonly as a result of the under treatment of pain rather than as an opioid adverse effect.

So the take home lesson for this pearl is that the elderly have a lower risk of delirium if their pain is treated appropriately.

References

Duggleby W, Lander J: Cognitive status and postoperative pain: older adults. J Pain Symptom Manage 1994; 9: 19-27.

Lynch EP, Lazor MA, Gellis JE, Orav J, Goldman L, Marcantonio ER: The impact of postoperative pain on the development of postoperative delirium. Anesth Analg 1998; 86: 781-785.