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Dong, H.-J., Wahl, A., Engblom, M. H., Löf, M., Kocanda, L. & Brain, K. (2025). Nutrition care in pain rehabilitation-success and lessons from practice. PAIN MANAGEMENT, 15(12), 1027-1033
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Nutrition care in pain rehabilitation-success and lessons from practice
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2025 (English)In: PAIN MANAGEMENT, ISSN 1758-1869, Vol. 15, no 12, p. 1027-1033Article in journal, Editorial material (Other academic) Published
Abstract [en]

Clinical data reveals that people living with chronic pain often report suboptimal nutrition and eating behaviors. Nutrition may significantly affect the occurrence, development, and prognosis of chronic pain. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) encourages clinicians to include nutrition care in pain management. A potential approach is to integrate nutrition care into interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation, alongside routine lifestyle interventions such as physical activity, sleep habits, and stress management. This discussion paper explores the practical implementation of nutrition care in tertiary pain rehabilitation settings, highlighting key adaptations, challenges, and successful strategies drawn from clinical experience. These reflections on adapting practical tips in day-to-day practice may help strengthen the integration of nutrition care in pain rehabilitation and inspire new investigations in this field.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2025
Keywords
Nutrition care; chronic pain; pain rehabilitation; interdisciplinary; diet; lifestyle behavior; dietitian counseling
National Category
Health Care Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-218764 (URN)10.1080/17581869.2025.2567836 (DOI)001586564300001 ()41031898 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-105018602773 (Scopus ID)
Note

Funding Agencies|Dr P Hakansson's Stiftelse [311560]; Linkoeping University & Region OEstergoetland, Sweden [310769]

Available from: 2025-10-16 Created: 2025-10-16 Last updated: 2026-03-31Bibliographically approved
Dong, H.-J., Peolsson, A. & Johansson, M. M. (2024). Effects of proactive healthcare on pain, physical and activities of daily living functioning in vulnerable older adults with chronic pain: a pragmatic clinical trial with one- and two-year follow-up. European Geriatric Medicine, 15(3), 709-718
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Effects of proactive healthcare on pain, physical and activities of daily living functioning in vulnerable older adults with chronic pain: a pragmatic clinical trial with one- and two-year follow-up
2024 (English)In: European Geriatric Medicine, ISSN 1878-7649, E-ISSN 1878-7657, Vol. 15, no 3, p. 709-718Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Purpose To investigate the changes in pain, physical and activities of daily living (ADL) functioning in vulnerable older adults with chronic pain after proactive primary care intervention. Methods This study was embedded in a prospective, pragmatic, matched-control multicenter trial at 19 primary care practices in Sweden, with proactive medical and social care (Intervention Group, IG, n = 134) in comparison with usual care (Control Group, CG, n = 121). Patients with chronic pain, defined as pain experienced longer than 3 months, were included in this subgroup analysis. Data on pain aspects, physical and ADL functioning were collected in the questionnaires at baseline, one- and two-year follow-up (FU-1 and FU-2). Data on prescribed pain medications was collected by local health authorities. Results Mean age was 83.0 +/- 4.7 years with almost equal representation of both genders. From baseline until FU-2, there were no significant within-group or between-group changes in pain intensity. Small adjustments of pain medication prescriptions were made in both groups. Compared to FU-1, the functional changes were more measurable at FU-2 as fewer participants had impaired physical functioning in IG (48.4%) in comparison to CG (62.6%, p = 0.027, Effect Size phi = 0.14). Higher scores of ADL-staircase (more dependent) were found in both groups (p < 0.01, Effect Size r = 0.24 in CG and r = 0.16 in IG). Conclusion Vulnerable older adults with chronic pain seemed to remain physical and ADL functioning after proactive primary care intervention, but they may need tailored strategies of pain management to improve therapeutic effects.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
SPRINGER, 2024
Keywords
Proactive healthcare; Chronic pain; Activities of daily living (ADL); Physical functioning; Vulnerable; Aging
National Category
Geriatrics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-202290 (URN)10.1007/s41999-024-00952-9 (DOI)001176829100002 ()38446408 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85186912748 (Scopus ID)
Note

Funding Agencies|Health Care and Welfare

Available from: 2024-04-09 Created: 2024-04-09 Last updated: 2025-02-25Bibliographically approved
Dong, H.-J., Dragioti, E., Rivano Fischer, M. & Gerdle, B. (2021). Lose Pain, Lose Weight, and Lose Both: A Cohort Study of Patients with Chronic Pain and Obesity Using a National Quality Registry. Journal of Pain Research, 14, 1863-1873
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Lose Pain, Lose Weight, and Lose Both: A Cohort Study of Patients with Chronic Pain and Obesity Using a National Quality Registry
2021 (English)In: Journal of Pain Research, E-ISSN 1178-7090, Vol. 14, p. 1863-1873Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: It is known that chronic pain makes it difficult to lose weight, but it is unknown whether obese patients (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) who experience significant pain relief after interdisciplinary multimodal pain rehabilitation (IMMPR) lose weight.

Objective: This study investigated whether obese patients with chronic pain lost weight after completing IMMPR in specialist pain units. The association of pain relief and weight change over time was also examined.

Methods: Data from obese patients included in the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation for specialized pain units were used (N=224), including baseline and 12-month follow-up after IMMPR from 2016 to 2018. Patients reported body weight and height, pain aspects (eg, pain intensity), physical activity behaviours, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A reduction of at least 5% of initial weight indicates clinically significant weight loss. Patients were classified into three groups based on the pain relief levels after IMMPR: pain relief of clinical significance (30% or more reduction of pain intensity); pain relief without clinical significance (less than 30% reduction of pain intensity); and no pain relief. Linear mixed regression models were used to examine the weight changes among the groups with different pain relief levels.

Results: A significant reduction of pain intensity was found after IMMPR (p < 0.01, effect size Cohen's d = 0.34). A similar proportion of patients in the three groups with different pain relief levels had clinically significant weight loss (20.2%~24.3%, p = 0.47). Significant improvements were reported regarding physical activity behaviour, psychological distress, and HRQoL, but weight change was not associated with changes of pain intensity.

Conclusion: About one-fifth of obese patients achieved significant weight reduction after IMMPR. Obese patients need a tailored pain rehabilitation program incorporating a targeted approach for weight management.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Dove medical press Ltd, 2021
Keywords
chronic pain, obesity, pain intensity, pain rehabilitation, weight loss
National Category
Neurology Clinical Medicine Nutrition and Dietetics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-181143 (URN)10.2147/JPR.S305399 (DOI)000761690400001 ()34188533 (PubMedID)
Note

Funding: County Council of Ostergotland [LIO-608021, SC-2017-00202-28]

Available from: 2021-11-18 Created: 2021-11-18 Last updated: 2025-02-18Bibliographically approved
Dong, H.-J., Larsson, B., Dragioti, E., Bernfort, L., Levin, L.-Å. & Gerdle, B. (2020). Factors Associated with Life Satisfaction in Older Adults with Chronic Pain (PainS65+). Journal of Pain Research, 13, 475-489
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Factors Associated with Life Satisfaction in Older Adults with Chronic Pain (PainS65+)
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2020 (English)In: Journal of Pain Research, E-ISSN 1178-7090, Vol. 13, p. 475-489Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Chronic pain in later life is a worldwide problem. In younger patients, chronic pain affects life satisfaction negatively; however, it is unknown whether this outcome will extend into old age.

Objective: This study examines which factors determine life satisfaction in older adults who suffer from chronic pain with respect to socio-demographics, lifestyle behaviors, pain, and comorbidities.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited a random sample of people ≥ 65 years old living in south-eastern Sweden (N= 6611). A postal survey addressed pain aspects and health experiences. Three domains from the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (LiSat-11) were used to capture the individual’s estimations of overall satisfaction (LiSat-life), somatic health (LiSat-somhealth), and psychological health (LiSat-psychhealth).

Results: Respondents with chronic pain (2790, 76.2± 7.4 years old) rated lower on life satisfaction than those without chronic pain, with medium effect size (ES) on LiSat-somhealth (r = 0.38, P < 0.001) and small ES on the other two domains (r < 0.3). Among the respondents with chronic pain, severe pain (OR 0.29– 0.59) and pain spreading (OR 0.87– 0.95) were inversely associated with all three domains of the LiSat-11. Current smoking, alcohol overconsumption, and obesity negatively affected one or more domains of the LiSat-11. Most comorbidities were negatively related to LiSat-somhealth, and some comorbidities affected the other two domains. For example, having tumour or cancer negatively affected both LiSat-life (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.44– 0.88) and LiSat-somhealth (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.24– 0.74). Anxiety or depression disorders had a negative relationship both for LiSat-life (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.38– 0.78) and LiSat-psychhealth (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.06– 0.14).Conclusion: Older adults with chronic pain reported lower life satisfaction but the difference from their peers without chronic pain was trivial, except for satisfaction with somatic health. Pain management in old age needs to consider comorbidities and severe pain to improve patients’ life satisfaction.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Macclesfield, United Kingdom: DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD, 2020
Keywords
chronic pain; life satisfaction; older adults; comorbidity
National Category
Nursing
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-164400 (URN)10.2147/JPR.S234565 (DOI)000518196400001 ()32184652 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85081269816 (Scopus ID)
Note

Funding Agencies|Grunenthal Sweden AB

Available from: 2020-03-19 Created: 2020-03-19 Last updated: 2024-01-17Bibliographically approved
Gerdle, B., Akerblom, S., Jansen, G. B., Enthoven, P., Ernberg, M., Dong, H.-J., . . . Boersma, K. (2019). Who benefits from multimodal rehabilitation - an exploration of pain, psychological distress, and life impacts in over 35,000 chronic pain patients identified in the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation. Journal of Pain Research, 12, 891-908
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Who benefits from multimodal rehabilitation - an exploration of pain, psychological distress, and life impacts in over 35,000 chronic pain patients identified in the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation
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2019 (English)In: Journal of Pain Research, E-ISSN 1178-7090, Vol. 12, p. 891-908Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Chronic pain patients frequently suffer from psychological symptoms. There is no consensus concerning the prevalence of severe anxiety and depressive symptoms and the strength of the associations between pain intensity and psychological distress. Although an important aspect of the clinical picture is understanding how the pain condition impacts life, little is known about the relative importance of pain and psychological symptoms for individuals life impact. The aims of this study were to identify subgroups of pain patients; to analyze if pain, psychological distress, and life impact variables influence subgrouping; and to investigate how patients in the subgroups benefit from treatments. Methods: Background variables, pain aspects (intensity/severity and spreading), psychological distress (depressive and anxiety symptoms), and two life impact variables (pain interference and perceived life control) were obtained from the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation for chronic pain patients and analyzed mainly using advanced multivariate methods. Results: Based on amp;gt;35,000 patients, 35%-40% had severe anxiety or depressive symptoms. Severe psychological distress was associated with being born outside Europe (21%-24% vs 6%-8% in the category without psychological distress) and low education level (20.7%-20.8% vs 26%-27% in the category without psychological distress). Dose relationships existed between the two psychological distress variables and pain aspects, but the explained variances were generally low. Pain intensity/severity and the two psychological distress variables were significantly associated (R-2 =0.40-0.48; Pamp;gt;0.001) with the two life impact variables (pain interference and life control). Two subgroups of patients were identified at baseline (subgroup 1: n=15,901 16,119; subgroup 2: n=20,690-20,981) and the subgroup with the worst situation regarding all variables participated less in an MMRP (51% vs 58%, Pamp;lt;0.001) but showed the largest improvements in outcomes. Conclusion: The results emphasize the need to assess both pain and psychological distress and not take for granted that pain involves high psychological stress in the individual case. Not all patients benefit from MMRP. A better matching between common clinical pictures and the content of MMRPs may help improve results. We only partly found support for treatment resistance in patients with psychological distress burden.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD, 2019
Keywords
anxiety; chronic pain; control; depression; life impact; sociodemographic
National Category
Physiotherapy
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-155951 (URN)10.2147/JPR.S190003 (DOI)000461272300001 ()30881099 (PubMedID)
Note

Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council; County Council of Ostergotland (Research-ALF); AFA Insurance

Available from: 2019-04-01 Created: 2019-04-01 Last updated: 2025-02-11
Dong, H.-J., Larsson, B., Levin, L.-Å., Bernfort, L. & Gerdle, B. (2018). Is excess weight a burden for older adults who suffer chronic pain?. BMC Geriatrics, 18, Article ID 270.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Is excess weight a burden for older adults who suffer chronic pain?
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2018 (English)In: BMC Geriatrics, E-ISSN 1471-2318, Vol. 18, article id 270Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

BackgroundObesity and chronic pain are common comorbidities and adversely influence each other. Advanced age is associated with more comorbidities and multi-morbidities. In this study, we investigated the burden of overweight/obesity and its comorbidities and their associations with chronic pain in a random population sample of Swedish older adults.MethodsThe cross-sectional analysis involved a random sample of a population65years in south-eastern Sweden (N=6243). Data were collected from a postal questionnaire that addressed pain aspects, body mass index (BMI), and health experiences. Chronic pain was defined as pain during the previous three months. According to the 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale, pain scored 7 corresponds to severe pain. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the variables associated to pain aspects.ResultsA total of 2633 (42%) reported chronic pain. More obese older adults (BMI 30kg/m(2)) experienced chronic pain (58%) than those who were low-normal weight (BMI amp;lt;25kg/m(2), 39%) or overweight (25BMI amp;lt;30kg/m(2), 41%). Obese elderly more frequently had pain in extremities and lower back than their peers. In the multivariate model, obesity (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.59, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.33-1.91) but not overweight (OR 1.08, 95% CI 0.95-1.22) was associated with chronic pain. Obesity (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.16-2.01) was also significantly related to severe pain. We also found other comorbidities - i.e., traumatic history (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.99-3.19), rheumatic diseases (OR 5.21, 95% CI 4.54-5.97), age85years (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.22-2.25), and depression or anxiety diagnosis (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.32-2.53) - showed stronger associations with pain aspects than weight status. Conclusion: In older adults, excess weight (BMI 30 or above) is a potentially modifiable factor but not the only risk factor that is associated with chronic pain and severe pain. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of interventions that treat comorbid pain and obesity in older adults.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
BMC, 2018
Keywords
Chronic pain; Older adults; Obesity; Overweight
National Category
General Practice
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-153169 (URN)10.1186/s12877-018-0963-4 (DOI)000449852300001 ()30409125 (PubMedID)
Note

Funding Agencies|Grunenthal Sweden AB

Available from: 2018-12-01 Created: 2018-12-01 Last updated: 2024-07-04
Molander, P., Dong, H.-J., Äng, B., Enthoven, P. & Gerdle, B. (2018). The role of pain in chronic pain patients' perception of health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional SQRP study of 40,000 patients.. Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 18(3), 417-429, Article ID /j/sjpain.2018.18.issue-3/sjpain-2018-0003/sjpain-2018-0003.xml.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The role of pain in chronic pain patients' perception of health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional SQRP study of 40,000 patients.
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2018 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Pain, ISSN 1877-8860, E-ISSN 1877-8879, Vol. 18, no 3, p. 417-429, article id /j/sjpain.2018.18.issue-3/sjpain-2018-0003/sjpain-2018-0003.xmlArticle in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background and aims Health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL) reflects the burden of a condition on an overarching level. Pain intensity, disability and other factors influence how patients with chronic pain perceive their condition, e.g. Hr-QoL. However, the relative importance of these factors is unclear and there is an ongoing debate as to what importance pain measures have in this group. We investigated the importance of current pain level and mood on aspects of Hr-QoL in patients with chronic pain and investigated whether such relationships are influenced by demographics. Methods Data was obtained from the Swedish Quality Registry for Pain Rehabilitation (SQRP), between 2008 and 2016 on patients ≥18 years old who suffered from chronic pain and were referred to participating specialist clinics. Dependent variables were general Hr-QoL [using two scales from European Quality of Life instrument: EQ5D Index and the European Quality of Life instrument health scale (EQ thermometer)] and specific Hr-QoL [from the Short Form Health Survey (SF36) the physical component summary (SF36-PCS) and the mental (psychological) component summary (SF36-MCS)]. Independent variables were sociodemographic variables, pain variables, psychological distress and pain attitudes. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for multivariate correlation analyses of all investigated variables and Orthogonal Partial Least Square Regression (OPLS) for multivariate regressions on health aspects. Results There was 40,518 patients (72% women). Pain intensity and interference showed the strongest multivariate correlations with EQ5D Index, EQ thermometer and SF36-PCS. Psychological distress variables displayed the strongest multivariate correlations with SF36-MCS. Demographic properties did not significantly influence variations in the investigated Hr-QoL variables. Conclusions Pain, mood and pain attitudes were significantly correlated with Hr-QoL variables, but these variables cannot explain most of variations in Hr-QoL variables. The results pinpoint that broad assessments (including pain intensity aspects) are needed to capture the clinical presentation of patients with complex chronic pain conditions.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Walter de Gruyter, 2018
Keywords
acceptance, health, mood, pain, quality of life
National Category
General Practice
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-155122 (URN)10.1515/sjpain-2018-0003 (DOI)000439314200012 ()29794267 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85047466757 (Scopus ID)
Available from: 2019-03-19 Created: 2019-03-19 Last updated: 2024-11-19
Dong, H.-J., Marcusson, J., Wressle, E. & Unosson, M. (2015). Obese very old women have low relative handgrip strength, poor physical function, and difficulty in daily living. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 19(1), 20-25
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Obese very old women have low relative handgrip strength, poor physical function, and difficulty in daily living
2015 (English)In: The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, ISSN 1279-7707, E-ISSN 1760-4788, Vol. 19, no 1, p. 20-25Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objectives: To investigate how anthropometric and body composition variables, and handgrip strength (HS) affect physical function and independent daily living in 88-year-old Swedish women.

Participants: A cross-sectional analysis of 83 community-dwelling women, who were 88 years old with normal weight (n=30), overweight (n=29), and obesity (n=24) in Linköping, Sweden, was performed.

Measures: Assessments of body weight (Wt), height, waist circumference (WC), and arm circumference were performed by using an electronic scale and measuring tape. Tricep skinfold thickness was measured by a skinfold calliper. Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and HS was recorded with an electronic grip force instrument. Linear regression was used to determine the contributions of parameters as a single predictor or as a ratio with HS to physical function (Short Form-36, SF-36PF) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).

Results: Obese women had greater absolute FM and FFM, and lower HS corrected for FFM and HS-based ratios (i.e., HS/Wt, HS/body mass index [BMI]) than their normal weight and overweight counterparts. After adjusting for physical activity levels and the number of chronic diseases, HS-based ratios explained more variance in SF-36PF scoring (R2: 0.52–0.54) than single anthropometric and body composition variables (R2: 0.45–0.51). WC, HS, and HS-based ratios (HS/Wt and HS/FFM) were also associated with the number of IADL with no difficulty.

Conclusion: Obese very old women have a high WC, but their HS is relatively low in relation to their Wt and FFM. These parameters are better than BMI for predicting physical function and independent daily living.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer, 2015
Keywords
Very old; Handgrip strength; Body composition; Physical function; Instrumental activities of daily living
National Category
Geriatrics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-105215 (URN)10.1007/s12603-014-0512-6 (DOI)000348024800003 ()
Available from: 2014-03-13 Created: 2014-03-13 Last updated: 2021-12-29Bibliographically approved
Dong, H.-J., Wressle, E. & Marcusson, J. (2015). Unaltered image of health maintenance: An observation of non-participants in a swedish cohort study of 85 to 86 years olds. Journal of Frailty & Aging, 4(2), 93-99
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Unaltered image of health maintenance: An observation of non-participants in a swedish cohort study of 85 to 86 years olds
2015 (English)In: Journal of Frailty & Aging, ISSN 2260-1341, E-ISSN 2273-4309, Vol. 4, no 2, p. 93-99Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Selection bias is often inevitable in epidemiologic studies. It is not surprising that study conclusions based on participants’ health status are frequently questioned. Objective: This study aimed to assess whether the non-participants affected the characteristics of a general population of the very old people. Design, Setting and Participants: Prospective, cross-sectional (N=650, aged 85 years old) analysis and 1-year follow-up (n=273), in Linköping, Sweden. Measurements: We analysed data on health-related factors from a postal questionnaire, a home visit and a clinic visit at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. We calculated the effect size to evaluate the degree of differences between the groups. Results: A greater proportion of non-participants resided in sheltered accommodation or nursing homes (participants vs non-response vs refusal, 11% vs 22% vs 40, P<0.001, φ=0.24). During the home visit or clinic visit, a higher proportion of dropouts reported mid-severe problems in EQ-5D domains (mobility and self-care) and limitations in personal activities of daily living, but the differences between participants and dropouts were very small (φ<0.2). No significant difference was found between the groups with regard to emergency room visits or hospital admissions, despite the fact that more participants than dropouts (φ=0.23) had multimorbidities (≥2 chronic diseases). Living in sheltered accommodation or a nursing home (odds ratio (OR), 2.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-5), female gender (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.1) and receiving more home visits in primary care (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1-1.06) contributed positively to drop out in the data collection stages over the study period. Conclusion: Non-participants were not considered to be a group with worse health. Mobility problems may influence very old people when considering further participation, which threatens attrition.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Paris, France: Editions S E R D I, 2015
Keywords
85 year olds, non-participants, health, mobility
National Category
Geriatrics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-121821 (URN)10.14283/jfa.2015.47 (DOI)
Projects
ELSA 85
Funder
Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden (FORSS), 8888Östergötland County Council, 11877
Available from: 2015-10-07 Created: 2015-10-07 Last updated: 2023-01-26Bibliographically approved
Dong, H.-J. (2014). Health Maintenance in Very Old Age: Medical Conditions, Functional Outcome and Nutritional Status. (Doctoral dissertation). Linköping: Linköping University Electronic Press
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Health Maintenance in Very Old Age: Medical Conditions, Functional Outcome and Nutritional Status
2014 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The overall aim of this thesis was to provide better understanding of the underlying factors related to health maintenance in very old people, with a focus on medical conditions, functional outcome and nutritional status. Data were gathered from the ELSA 85 project (Elderly in Linköping Screening Assessment). The ELSA 85 project was started in 2007 with a population-based survey of 85-year-old individuals (n = 650) residing in Linköping municipality, Sweden. During the study period from 2007 to 2010, we conducted surveys by postal questionnaire, home visits, geriatric clinic visits, and reviews of electronic medical records as well as the database of health service consumption. A series of cross-sectional analyses were performed on multimorbidity, health service consumption, activities of daily living (ADLs), physical functioning and nutritional status.

Of 650 eligible individuals, 496 (78% of those alive) completed the questionnaire (Paper I). Despite the prevalence of multimorbidity (68%) and frequent use of assistive technology for mobility (40%), the majority managed self-care (85%), usual activities (74%) and had high self-rated health (>60/100, visual analogue scale). Factors associated with in-patient care were an increased number of general practitioner visits, more use of assistive technology, community assistance, multimorbidity (≥2 chronic diseases) and/or heart failure and arrhythmia.

Cluster analyses (n = 496, Paper II) revealed five clusters: vascular, cardiopulmonary, cardiac (only for men), somatic–mental (only for men), mental disease (only for women), and three other clusters related to ageing (one for men and two for women). Heart failure in men (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1–5.7) and women (OR, 3; 95% CI, 1.3–6.9) as a single morbidity explained more variance than morbidity clusters in models of emergency room visits. Men’s cardiac cluster (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1–2.7) and women’s cardiopulmonary cluster (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.4) were significantly associated with hospitalization. The combination of the cardiopulmonary cluster with the men’s cardiac cluster (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1–2.4) and one of the women’s ageing clusters (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3–0.8) showed interaction effects on hospitalization.

In Paper III, overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25–29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI, ≥30 kg/m2) individuals (n = 333) perceived more difficulty performing instrumental ADL (IADL) and had more comorbidities than their normal weight counterparts (BMI, 18.5–24.9 kg/m2). After controlling for socio-demographic factors, obese but not overweight individuals were more likely to perceive increased difficulty in performing outdoor activities (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.1–4) and cleaning (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2–4.2) than their normal weight counterparts. Although obesity was also associated with multimorbidity (OR, 3; 95% CI, 1.2–8), the health service cost of each case of multimorbidity (n = 251) was highest in individuals of normal weight and nearly three times as much as in obese individuals (ratio, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1–8.1).

In Paper IV, 88-year-old obese women (n = 83) had greater absolute waist circumference, fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM), and lower handgrip strength (HS) corrected for FFM and HS-based ratios (HS/weight (Wt), HS/BMI, HS/FFM and HS/FM) than their normal weight and overweight counterparts. After adjusting for physical activity levels and the number of chronic diseases, the HS-based ratios explained more variance in physical functioning in Short Form-36 (R2, 0.52–0.54) than other single anthropometric or body composition parameters (R2, 0.45–0.51). Waist circumference, HS, and two HS-based ratios (HS/Wt and HS/FFM) were also associated with the number of IADL with no difficulty.

In conclusion, the ELSA 85 population showed a fairly positive image of healthy perception, good functional ability as well as low use of health care among the majority of participants. Patterns of cardiac and pulmonary conditions were better associated than any single morbidity with hospitalization. Heart failure as a single morbidity was better associated than multimorbidity patterns with emergency room visits. For 85-year-olds, being obese, as opposed to overweight, was associated with self-reported activity limitations and comorbidities. Overweight elderly living in their own homes in this population had similar well-being to those of normal weight. In the cohort of 88-year-olds, obese women had high waist circumference, but their HS was relatively low in relation to their Wt and FFM. These parameters were better than BMI for predicting physical function and independent daily living.

Abstract [sv]

Att åldras innebär inte bara en utveckling över tid utan också en förändring av människans fysiologi och funktion. Vi har många olika bilder av åldrandet. Ofta överväger de negativa bilderna som betonar sjuklighet och höga samhällskostnader för vård och omsorg. ELSA 85, en förkortning av the Elderly in Linköping Screening Assessment, påbörjades 2007 med avsikt att kartlägga 85-åringars hälsotillstånd och funktion. Syftet med denna avhandling var att fördjupa kunskapen om faktorer med betydelse för bevarande av hälsa hos dessa 85-åringar.

Populationsstudien genomfördes via enkätutskick (bl.a. livssituation, livskvalitet), hembesök (bl.a. aktiviteter i dagliga livet (ADL), kognitiva funktioner) och mottagningsbesök (bl.a. nutritionsstatus, rörelseförmåga, kroppslig undersökning, blodprover, läkemedel) under perioden mars 2007 till mars 2008. Vi kartlade även deltagarnas sjukvårdsbesök samt sjukvårdskostnader. Tre år senare, när individerna var 88 år, analyserades även kroppssammansättningen hos delar av populationen.

Totalt 496 Linköpingsbor födda 1922, deltog i studien. Andelen som svarade på enkäten var 78 % av alla då levande 85-åringar. Resultaten visar att majoriteten av 85-åringarna klarade att sköta sin hygien (85%) samt huvudsakliga aktiviteter (74%). Sextio procent skattade sin hälsorelaterade livskvalitet som hög trots förekomst av flera kroniska sjukdomar och frekvent användning av hjälpmedel för att förbättra rörligheten. Oberoende riskfaktorer för slutenvård var multipla besök hos distriktsläkare, användande av flera hjälpmedel, förekomst av minst två sjukdomar eller förekomst av hjärtsvikt och arytmi.

Multimorbiditet (förekomst av minst två kroniska sjukdomar) var vanligt hos 85-åringarna (68%). Olika kombinationer av sjukdomar hade varierande betydelse för behovet av sjukvård. I clusteranalys, där man försöker gruppera diagnoser med hög sannolikhet att förekomma hos en enskild individ, fann vi några cluster som var starkare relaterade till inläggning i slutenvård än andra. Clustren såg dessutom olika ut mellan män och kvinnor. För män var t.ex. kardiella och för kvinnor t.ex. hjärt-lung-cluster starkare relaterade till slutenvård än enskilda diagnoser.

Personer med fetma (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) hade mer problem med rörlighet och instrumentell ADL (IADL) jämfört med de med normal- eller övervikt. Trots ett klart samband mellan fetma och multimorbiditet hade de normalviktiga individerna nästan tre gånger så höga hälso-sjukvårds kostnader som personer med fetma.

Bland 88-åriga kvinnor, hade personer med fetma högre bukomfång, mer fettmassa (FM) och mer fettfri massa (FFM) men lägre handstyrka (HS) än de normal- eller överviktiga. Relativ HS, handstyrka i form av kvoter (HS/Vikt, HS/BMI, HS/FFM and HS/FM) hade starkare samband med fysisk funktion (Short Form-36, SF-36PF) än andra enskilda parametrar. Två enskilda parametrar (bukomfång och HS) samt HS/Vikt och HS/FFM var associerade med antal aktiviteter utan svårighet i IADL.

Sammanfattningsvis är 85-åringarna inte så skröpliga som de ofta beskrivs. Studien ELSA 85 visar en övervägande positiv bild med bevarad hälsa och funktion för en övervägande del av populationen. De flesta 85-åringarna klarar sig ganska bra trots förekomst av flera sjukdomar. Vissa mönster av multimorbiditet med hjärt- och lungsjukdomar är mer relaterade till slutenvård medan hjärtsvikt hade hög risk för akutmottagningsbesök. Därför är det viktigt att beakta en komplexitet av sjukdomar, inte bara enskilda diagnoser eller antalet diagnoser, i planeringen av den framtida vården. Personer med normal- eller övervikt klarar sin funktion bättre och lever mer självständigt än de som lider av fetma. Den betydande andelen feta med begränsad rörlighet och funktion bland äldre kan komma att påverka behovet av tyngre omsorgsinsatser för den gruppen och är således en varningssignal inför framtiden.

Abstract [zh]

【目的】      通过研究高龄老人的医疗情况,躯体功能和营养状态,提高对高龄老人健康维护相关因素的理解。

【方法】      ELSA 85 项目(林雪平老年人普查,Elderly in Linköping Screening Assessment)是一个以瑞典林雪平城市中85岁高龄老人(1922年出生, n = 650)为研究对象的人群研究。(1) 2007/03–2008/03:通过邮寄问卷,家庭访问及门诊检查的三个步骤, 我们搜集的数据包括:个人和家庭的背景信息(居住情况,既往的学历和工作程度,健康相关的生活质量EQ-5D等),身体机能(日常生活活动能力ADL评定,移动性测试等)和营养状态(人体测量等)。我们同时还阅览了所有注册的电子病历和每位老年人的年卫生费用。(2) 2010/06–2010/10: 在3年后的随访中,我们对所有88岁的女性老年人增加了人体组成测定和SF-36健康调查量表之生理功能子量表(SF-36PF)的评估。

ELSA 85 项目还包括了其他医学检查项目以及为期一年的随访(2008–2009), 但这些数据统计并未列入本论文中。

【结果】      论文1:共496人(参与率78%)回寄并参与了问卷调查。总体而言,虽然慢性多病以及日常生活中频繁使用辅助身体移动的器具在85岁高龄老人中非常普遍,多数老年人仍然能够完成个人卫生自理和常规日常活动。他们在健康相关评价问卷中的评估自身健康状态多为良好 (EQ-5D评估)。与住院相关的风险因素包括:全科医生的年就诊次数,有共患疾病(存在两种或两种以上的慢性病征),或者是心力衰竭和心律失常两个单病种。

论文 2:运用聚类分析和性别分层对共患疾病归类,生成男女组各五个集群:血管性类疾病集群,心肺疾病集群,心源性疾病集群(只存于男性组内),躯体-精神心理疾病集群(只存于男性组内),精神心理性疾病集群(只存于女性组内),以及三个和老化过程有关的集群(男性组内1组,女性组内2组)。心力衰竭 (男性组内的比值比 OR = 2.4,95% 的可信区间CI = 1–5.7;女性组内 OR = 3,95% CI = 1.3–6.9) 作为单一病种在预测急诊就诊的模型中比任一共患疾病集群都能解释更多的变量值。男性组内的心源性疾病集群 (OR = 1.6,95% CI = 1–2.7) 和女性组内的心肺疾病集群(OR = 1.7,95% CI = 1.2–2.4)与预测是否住院显著有关。在住院模型中, 心肺疾病集群与男性的心源性疾病集群(OR = 1.6,95% CI = 1–2.4), 或与女性组内的老化相关集群(OR = 0.5,95% CI = 0.3–0.8)具有显著的交互作用。

论文3:超重(体重指数 BMI:25–29.9 kg/m2)和肥胖(BMI ≥30 kg/m2)者在工具性日常生活活动评定(IADL)比正常体重者(BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2)有更多的困难,再者也比正常体重者有更高伴发疾病的风险。但是在控制了混杂变量(社会人口因素)后,对照正常体重组,只有肥胖者而不是超重者的IADL(户外活动:OR= 2.1,95% CI=1.1–4;居室清洁:OR= 2.2,95% CI= 1.2–4.2)存在更大的困难。虽然肥胖与共患疾病相关(OR= 3,95% CI=1.2–8),有共患疾病的正常体重者的卫生服务消费却是共患疾病的肥胖者的近三倍(ratio= 2.9,95% CI= 1.1–8.1)。

论文 4:88岁女性肥胖组相比正常体重和超重组而言,其腰围值、脂肪群值和祛脂肪群值较大。肥胖者的绝对握力值在校正祛脂肪群后以及握力比值(握力/体重,握力/BMI,握力/祛脂肪群,等等)都较其他两组低。在控制个体的体力活动程度和慢性疾病数量后,握力比值对生理功能(SF-36PF)的解释度(R2:0.52–0.54)高于任何单一人体测量指标或人体组成成分的测定值(R2:0.45–0.51)。腰围值、绝对握力值及握力比值(握力/体重和握力/祛脂肪群)与IADL中无困难的活动项目数显著相关。

【结论】      ELSA 85 人群研究显示了一个相对健康的,个体功能良好的,且使用卫生服务较低的高龄老年群体。心源性和肺部疾病的共患与住院风险相关,而心力衰竭作为单一病种与急诊就诊有显著相关。对85岁高龄老人而言,肥胖(但不是超重)与个体的活动限制和伴发疾病有关。居住于自己住所内的超重高龄老人,其健康水平与正常体重者相近。在88岁女性高龄老人中,肥胖者有较大的腰围值和较低的握力比值(握力/体重和握力值/祛脂肪群)。这些指标比体重指数更好地反映了生理功能及高龄老人的日常独立生活能力。

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Linköping: Linköping University Electronic Press, 2014. p. 56
Series
Linköping University Medical Dissertations, ISSN 0345-0082 ; 1398
Keywords
very old, multimorbidity, health service use, physical function, activities of daily living, obesity, body composition
National Category
Health Sciences Geriatrics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-105087 (URN)10.3384/diss.diva-105087 (DOI)978-91-7519-385-4 (ISBN)
Public defence
2014-04-03, Berzeliussalen, ingång 65, Campus US, Linköpings universitet, Linköping, 09:00 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Projects
Elderly in Linköping Screening Assessment, ELSA 85
Available from: 2014-03-13 Created: 2014-03-07 Last updated: 2021-12-29Bibliographically approved
Organisations
Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0001-7051-1234

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