PAIN IN ELDERLY HAS BEEN OFTEN UNDERESTIMATED

Abstract

The authors surveyed the clinical data and reviewed the literature on the pain management in elderly patients. The conclusion was made that chronic pain in older age is neglected and analgesia is often insufficient. Data for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of widely used analgesic drugs are summarized. The authors provide practical guidelines for pain management of elderly people in outpatients departments.

Keywords

• older age
• pain management
• analgesic drugs
• pharmacokinetics
• pharmacodynamics