Study of the occurrence of "chronic pain" in eldery of a community assisted by the Health Family Program in Goiânia

Abstract

The aim of this descriptive research was to analyze the chronicle pain (NANDA, 2002) in old people of a community in Goiânia (GO). A group of 40 old people from 102 registered ones in a Family Health Program composed the sample. The data were collect from January to June of 2004, at the old people residences. The procedures of data collect consisted by an interview, a physical examination, both pain and depression valuation scales. It was identified chronicle pain in 62.5% of the old people. The pain intensity related was predominantly unsupportable (36%) and slight (28%), followed by the moderated (20%) and intense (16%). The pain place was mainly in the dorsal region (48%), and, then, in the inferior members (24%). The biologic injurious agents were the most frequent related factor. The defining characteristics present in more 50% of the sample were: verbal report or codified (100%); modified capacity of continuing previous activities (68%); changes on the sleeping pattern (48%) and tiredness (52%). The chronicle pain is a frequent diagnosis in old people with multiple defining characteristics that maintain the affirmation steady. The relation factors generally refer to the unsuccessful aging process or to the pathologies characteristic of this age range.