Characterization of quantitative aspects of pain in elderly at asylum

Objective: investigating aspects of quantitative behavior of pain caused by musculoskeletal diseases, in relation to presence, intensity and localization on elderly residents in a specialized institution in the city of Jequié/BA. Method: this is a descriptive study in Fundação Leur Brito, approved by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (No Opinion No. 177/05) and the studied population was compound by 60 elderly. The instruments applied were: 1) Health and socio-demographic characterization; 2) Mini-mental State Examination; 3) Mc Gill Pain Questionnaire. The data were analyzed descriptively way and program used Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 14.0 for Windows. Results: we studied 60 institutionalized elderly, 50% of each sex, more often males aged 60 to 80 years (33.3%). Concerning intensity, 61,4% of the elderly reported intense pain. The most predominant localization was Lower Extremity (53,3%). Conclusion: the evaluation of pain is important in trying to describe it, aiming adequate therapeutic intervention and contributing on the improvement of the quality of life of the elderly. Descriptors: pain; elderly; evaluation.RESUMOObjetivo: investigar os aspectos quantitativos da dor decorrente de doenças osteomusculares quanto à presença, intensidade e localização em idosos asilados no município de Jequié/BA. Método: trata-se de um estudo descritivo realizado na Fundação Leur Brito, aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (nº Parecer nº177/05), sendo a amostra composta por 60 idosos. O instrumento utilizado constituiu-se de: 1) Caracterização sociodemográfica e de saúde; 2) Mini-exame do estado mental; 3) Questionário para dor McGill. Os dados foram analisados de maneira descritiva, sendo utilizado programa Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) versão 14.0 Windows. Resultados: foram estudados 60 idosos institucionalizados, sendo 50% de cada sexo, com maior frequência do sexo masculino na faixa ...