Logo VU-AMS
Logo VU-AMS
Get in contact
Go Back

Pain in dementia: prevalence and associated factors: protocol of a multidisciplinary study

Authors:
Cees MPM Hertogh, Didi Rhebergen, Erik JA Scherder, Frank Lobbezoo, Janine van Kooten, Johannes C. van der Wouden, Martin Smalbrugge, Max L. Stek, Roberto SGM Perez, Suzanne Delwel, Tarik T. Binnekade, Wouter WA Zuurmond
Publication date:
2015-03-21
Journal/Publication:
BMC Geriatrics
Tags:
Aged Alzheimer's disease Autonomic responses Dementia with Lewy Bodies Frontotemporal dementia Neuropsychiatric symptoms Orofacial pain Pain Quality of life Vascular dementia

Abstract

Pain is a common problem in people with dementia, however the exact prevalence of pain in dementia subtypes, e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Vascular Dementia (VaD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), is unknown, as is the relation between pain and the different subtypes of dementia. In this study, the prevalence of pain in people with dementia will be investigated per dementia subtype and the relationship between the various subtypes of dementia and the presence of specific types of pain (i.e. musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain and orofacial pain) will be examined. Secondly, associations between various types of pain, cognitive functioning, neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in people with dementia will be examined. A third purpose is to study the value of the assessment of autonomic responses in assessing pain in people with dementia. Finally, the effect of feedback to the attending physician on the presence of pain, based on examination by investigators with backgrounds in neuropsychology, geriatric dentistry and elderly care medicine, will be evaluated.