Assessment of pain, depression and somatization symptoms in elderly individuals who apply to the physical therapy unit

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of pain, depression, somatization and disability, the relationship among them, and the affecting factors in older individuals who applied to the physical therapy unit. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 95 volunteer patients aged 65 years and older who applied to the physical therapy and rehabilitation department of a training-research hospital between January 2018 and January 2019. Data were collected by the Interview Form, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, the Geriatric Pain Measure, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Somatosensory Amplification Scale, and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-II. Results: The comorbidity index was Grade 3 in 56.8% of the participants, 36.8% of them were high probability to have depression, the overall pain score was moderate, and the total disability was moderate-mild. Pain, depression, somatization and disability scores were found to be higher in those with poor general health perception. A significant positive relationship was found between pain and depression, between amplification/ somatization score and pain and depression scores. In addition, the total score of disability was found to have a significant positive correlation with the comorbidity index, and the depression scores. Conclusion: Pain, somatization, depression, and disability in the older patients were correlated and affected by various sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. These results may guide the planning of health services offered to older adults.