The Importance of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain as a Factor Associated with Locomotive Syndrome in the Elderly

Background: Locomotive Syndrome (LS) refers to a high risk of disability and dependency care due to a disorder in locomotive organs. It is increasing particularly because of populational aging. Chronic musculoskeletal pain in the elderly is also an important risk factor for disability and may be related to LS. The analysis of this relationship was the object of this research.

Methods: It was an observational, descriptive and analytical study, comprising 100 elderly people in São Paulo. Socio-demographic aspects and data about pain, falls, physical activity, self-perception of health and functionality were assessed. Additionally, the Brazilian version of "25-Question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale," the GLFS 25-P, was applied for the screening of LS as well as the verbal description scale of pain. In the statistical analysis, the 2-sample Test for Equality of Proportions, the Chi-square test and multivariate analysis were performed.

Results: LS was present in 63% of the elderly, and musculoskeletal pain in 61% of them, this being predominantly severe in intensity. A significant association of LS with chronic pain (p=0.001) was found, as well as osteoarthritis of knee, hip and spine, falls, physical inactivity, worsening self-perception of health and functional dependence for instrumental activities. In a multivariate analysis, chronic musculoskeletal pain was the variable most strongly related to LS (OR 15.92, IC 95% 3.08-82.27).

Conclusion: Chronic musculoskeletal pain emerged as an important factor associated with LS in the elderly, which could highlight the role of analgesic strategies also aimed at the prevention or therapeutics of this syndrome in aging.