The Effect of Pain Level on Quality of Life of Older People Applying to Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre

The Effect of Pain Level on Quality of Life of Older People Applying to Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article The Effect of Pain Level on Quality of Life of Older People Applying to Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre Beyzanur EKİCİ, Ümmühan Aktürk This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8758604/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effect of pain level on quality of life in the older people. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2023 and November 2024. The data were collected using a Personal Data Form, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Quality of Life Scale. 291 elderly people were reached. Results: The McGill Pain Questionnaire, its subscales, and pain severity had an effect of 35% on the quality of life in the older people. The subscales of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, pain severity, and socio-demographic characteristics had an effect of 34.6% on the quality of life in the older people. Conclusions: It was found that pain level had a negative effect on quality of life in the older people, and quality of life was impaired as the pain level and severity elevated in them. Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study emphasize that pain assessment and effective pain management are critical components of geriatric care. Regular evaluation of pain level and severity in older adults applying to multi-purpose geriatrics centres can help healthcare professionals identify individuals at risk for decreased quality of life. Integrating comprehensive pain management strategies into routine care may improve functional status, psychosocial well-being, and overall quality of life in older people. Geriatrics Pain Life Quality Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of people aged 60 years and older reached 1 billion in 2019 and is projected to increase to 1.4 billion by 2030 and 2.1 billion by 2050 [ 1 ]. The rate of population ageing is accelerating compared to previous decades, and in 2020, the population aged 60 years and over surpassed the population of children under the age of five [ 1 ]. Türkiye ranks 67th among 184 countries in terms of the proportion of older adults, with an elderly population rate of 10.2%, and this rate is expected to rise to 12.9% in 2030, 16.3% in 2040, 22.6% in 2060, and 25.6% in 2080 [ 1 ]. As individuals age, physiological functions decline and the incidence of chronic diseases increases. Individuals aged 65 years and over may experience significant changes that can lead to difficulties in adaptation and the development of unhealthy behaviors [ 2 ]. Pain is one of the most common health problems among older adults. Symptoms such as headache, chest pain, abdominal pain, back and joint pain, palpitations, syncope, heaviness in the legs, dyspnea, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea significantly increase the burden of suffering in elderly individuals [ 3 ]. Pain is a subjective experience that varies in quality and severity and negatively affects physical function, quality of life, and overall well-being [ 4 ]. Identifying the exact causes of pain in older adults is often difficult due to the presence of multiple pain sources [ 5 ]. Because pain is a personal experience, its impact on quality of life must be assessed individually. The most effective method of pain assessment is based on individuals’ self-reports, and healthcare professionals should value patients’ expressions of pain [ 6 ]. Nurses should recognize that each individual’s perception of pain is unique and that its effect on quality of life may differ accordingly [ 6 ]. As the proportion of older adults increases globally, providing optimal care for the elderly has become a major objective of health and social services [ 7 , 8 ]. This issue is particularly important due to the increasing demand for institutional care [ 9 ]. Quality healthcare involves meeting the physical, psychological, and social needs of older individuals at the highest possible level. Quality of life is a multidimensional concept and an essential component in evaluating overall health status [ 10 ]. The concept of illness is closely related to health-related quality of life, as it is often associated with pain and suffering, feelings of vulnerability and loneliness, reduced comfort, and depression [ 11 , 12 ]. Identifying factors that negatively affect quality of life can help develop care approaches that minimize these effects [ 13 ]. A holistic and humanistic approach to elderly care is essential. Pain plays a critical role in shaping subjective perceptions of quality of life [ 14 ]. It can limit physical functioning and activities of daily living, thereby negatively influencing quality of life and body functioning in older adults [ 4 , 15 – 17 ]. Jakobsson et al. reported that older adults experiencing pain during daily activities had greater difficulty performing these activities, resulting in significantly lower quality of life [ 18 ]. However, studies examining the relationship between pain level and quality of life in older adults remain limited. Therefore, the present study aims to contribute to this field. Aim This study was conducted to determine the effect of pain level on quality of life in older people. Methods This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study. The present study was conducted in the Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre at a Numune Hospital, located in the province between October 2023 and June 2024. The multi-purpose Geriatrics center is the only center in the country where multi-disciplinary routine health services are provided to the elderly. Population of the present study consisted of 820 elderly individuals over the age of 65 who applied to the Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre, with four floors, equipped with 56 beds on each floor, affiliated with Sivas Numune Hospital, where the study would be conducted in one year. The sample was identified by power analysis. The sample size was found to be 291 people at an effect size of 0.25, a significance level of 0.05, and a confidence interval of 0.95. The sample was selected by using random sampling method from non-probability sampling methods. Inclusion Criteria Being open to communication, Voluntary participation Exclusion Criteria Having difficulty in communication. Data Collection The data of the current study were collected from December 2023 to March 2024. To collect the data, a Personal Data Form containing socio-demographic data was prepared by the researcher, the McGill Pain Questionnaire - Turkish Version, and the WHOQOL-OLD.TR World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale - Older Adults Module were preferred. The data were collected from individuals over 65 years of age who applied to the Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre affiliated with Sivas Numune Hospital. The researcher collected the data through face-to-face interview technique by explaining the research’s purpose when the individuals were present in the clinic. Data Collection Tools The data were collected using a “Personal Data Form”, the “McGill Pain Questionnaire”, and the “Quality of Life Scale”. Personal Data Form The form prepared by the researcher consisted of questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the older people (age, gender, educational status, marital status, health insurance, presence of children, health perception, chronic diseases, presence of regular medications). McGill Pain Questionnaire - Turkish Version The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), developed by Melzack and Torgerson [ 19 ] and adapted into Turkish by Kuğuoğlu et al. [ 20 ], was used to assess pain in older individuals. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted in 2003 [ 20 ]. The MPQ evaluates pain across four dimensions: pain location, pain quality, temporal characteristics, and pain severity. In the present study, the MPQ was not analyzed using a total score; instead, each section was evaluated separately. The first section assesses pain location using a body diagram, where participants indicate whether pain is superficial (S), deep (D), or both superficial and deep (DS) [ 21 ]. The second section consists of 20 word groups evaluating sensory, affective, evaluative, and miscellaneous pain qualities, yielding subscale scores for sensory (0–40), affective (0–14), evaluative (0–5), and miscellaneous pain aspects (0–19), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity. The third section examines the temporal pattern of pain and factors that exacerbate or alleviate it. The fourth section evaluates pain severity using a five-point scale ranging from mild to unbearable, with total pain severity scores ranging from 0 to 30; higher scores indicate greater pain severity. WHOQOL-OLD.TR World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale - Older Adults Module The WHOQOL-OLD module, developed by the World Health Organization and validated in Türkiye by Eser et al. [ 21 ], was used to assess quality of life in older individuals. The scale consists of 24 items grouped into six subscales: sensory abilities, autonomy, past, present and future activities, social participation, death and dying, and intimacy. Items are rated on a five-point Likert scale (1–5), with subscale scores ranging from 4 to 20 and total scores ranging from 24 to 120; higher scores indicate better quality of life. Eser et al. reported acceptable internal consistency for the Turkish version, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.68 to 0.88 across subscales [ 21 ]. In the present study, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.78 for social participation, 0.88 for sensory abilities, 0.74 for past, present and future activities, 0.70 for autonomy, 0.76 for death and dying, and 0.81 for intimacy, indicating good internal consistency. Data Analysis The (SPSS) 24.0 software was used to analyse the data of the study. The socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were expressed in numbers, percentage distribution, means, and standard deviation values. The Cronbach’s α reliability coefficient was used to determine the consistency of the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. In the present study, linear regression analysis was run to assess the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable. Research Variables • Dependent Variable : Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module • Independent Variables : Socio-demographic characteristics, pain level, McGill Pain Questionnaire Ethical Considerations Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences (Approval No: 2023/4997). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent to participate was obtained verbally from all elderly individuals who agreed to participate in the study prior to data collection. Limitations and Generalisability of the Study The limitations of the study are that its sample was not selected by probability sampling method and it was conducted in a single institution. Its findings obtained can be generalised to the population Results This section of the study that examined the effect of pain level on quality of life in the older people includes its findings. The socio-demographic characteristics of the elderly are presented in Table 1. When Table 2 was examined, it was found that 81.3% of the participants reported suffering from deep pain in their head, 72.6% from deep pain in their body, 83.5% from deep pain in their arm, 97.5% from deep pain in their back, 97.5% from deep pain in their knee, 70.6% from deep pain in their calf, and 48.9% from deep pain in their foot. When Table 3 was analysed, it was determined that 49.5% of the participants reported a throbbing pain, 33% a stabbing pain, 48.8% a cramping pain, 43.6% an aching pain, 38.8% an intrusive pain, 42.6% a tense pain, 33.7% a burning pain, 31.6% a tingling pain, 43.3% a straining pain, 81.8% a miserable pain, 76.3% a tiring pain, 55.3% a disgusting pain, 33% a numbing pain, 40.2% an exhausting pain, 46.4% agonising pain, 33.3% a distressing pain, 51.9% a frightening pain, 54% a too sharp pain, 54% a shivering pain, and 45% a leaping pain. According to the correlation of pain with time, 55% of the older individuals reported that their pain was persistent, 34.4% reported that it was rhythmic, and 10.3% reported that it was acute. Table 4 shows the factors that affected the quality of life of the older people (S=291). The effect of the variables we examined on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, its subscales, and the pain severity was found to be significant at the p < 0.05 level. The effect of characteristics related to qualitative data on the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module was determined, and it was found that R = .603, R 2 = .364, and Adj R = .350. Independent variables had an effect of 35% on the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module, and the result was statistically significant (p<0.001). The total score on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Sensory subscale, Affective subscale, Evaluative subscale, and Various Dimensions of Pain subscale had negative (-1.150, -1.131, -1.868, -1.253, -1.076) effects on the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module. Accordingly, higher total and subscale scores of the McGill Pain Questionnaire were found to impair the quality of life of the older people (Table 4). Table 5 shows the effect of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, its subscales, pain severity, and sociodemographic characteristics on the Quality of Life in the older people (N=291). The effect of characteristics related to qualitative data on the dependence of Quality of Life in the older people was determined, and it was found that R=.618, R 2 =.382, and Ajd R=.346. Independent variables had an effect of 38.2% on the Quality of Life, and the result was statistically significant (p=0.000). The total score on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Sensory subscale, and Affective subscale, and the presence of chronic disease had a negative effect on Quality of Life in the older people (-1.133, -1.098, -1.832, -1.285, -1.075, -3.710). It was found that pain severity, age, gender, marital status, educational level, income level, employment, number of children, perceived health state, social security, continuous use of medication, and diet had no effect on the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module (p>0.05) (Table 5). Discussion With the increasing size of the older population, the burden of age-related health problems has become more pronounced, making the assessment of quality of life a key focus in geriatric research. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of pain level on quality of life in older people, and the findings were interpreted in comparison with existing literature. The results demonstrated that back pain (68.3%) and knee pain (59.7%) were the most prevalent pain sites among older individuals, whereas foot pain was reported least frequently (15.4%) (Table 2 ). Previous studies have reported varying distributions of pain sites depending on the study setting and population. For instance, Özel et al. reported that knee pain (64.6%) and headache (58.5%) were the most common complaints among nursing home residents, while low back pain was reported at a considerably lower rate (7.3%) [ 22 ]. In another study, 19.5% of older individuals with chronic pain reported knee pain, 16.5% hip pain, and 11.5% pain in other regions [ 23 ]. Similarly, Cowan, Dunn, and Horgass identified the hip, legs, knees, and ankles as the primary locations of moderate to severe pain in older adults [ 24 , 25 ]. Taken together, these findings suggest that pain in mobility-related body regions is common in later life, and the predominance of limb and back pain observed in the present study is consistent with the literature. In terms of pain characteristics, participants most frequently described their pain as miserable (81.8%), tiring (76.3%), and disgusting (55.3%), while numbing pain was reported less often (31.6%). Regarding the temporal pattern of pain, more than half of the older individuals reported persistent pain (55%), followed by rhythmic pain (34.4%) and acute pain (10.3%) (Table 2 ). Comparable findings have been reported in previous studies. Yıldız et al. found that 36.4% of older individuals described their pain as aching, whereas blunt pain was reported by only 3.6% of participants [ 25 ]. Similarly, Tavşanlı et al. reported that 63.8% of older individuals experienced persistent pain, 45.3% reported widespread pain, and 43.9% described their pain as rhythmic [ 26 ]. Overall, the literature indicates considerable variability in the description of pain characteristics; however, persistent pain consistently emerges as the most common pattern, while acute pain is least frequently reported. In this respect, the findings of the present study are largely in line with existing evidence and further underscore the chronic nature of pain in older populations. The present study demonstrated that the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and its subscales explained 29.5% of the variance in quality of life among older people and that higher MPQ scores were associated with poorer quality of life (Table 3 ). These findings indicate that as pain intensity and qualitative pain dimensions increase, quality of life deteriorates. This result is consistent with previous studies reporting that pain adversely affects quality of life by impairing physical functioning, psychological well-being, social participation, and economic independence [ 13 , 27 ]. Moreover, increasing pain severity and intensity have been shown to exacerbate limitations in physical, psychological, and social domains [ 28 ]. When pain severity was included in the model, the explanatory power increased, with the MPQ, its subscales, and pain severity accounting for 35% of the variance in quality of life (Table 4 ). Higher total and subscale scores of the MPQ were associated with a further decline in quality of life, indicating a cumulative negative effect of pain intensity and pain characteristics. These findings reinforce evidence suggesting that multidimensional aspects of pain play a critical role in shaping quality of life in older populations [ 13 , 27 , 28 ]. Consistent with the present results, Nielsen et al. reported that older individuals who experienced severe and fluctuating back pain over the previous year had significantly lower quality of life compared with those reporting mild to moderate pain [ 29 ]. Similarly, several studies have shown that individuals who perceive their back pain as threatening report poorer quality of life outcomes [ 30 – 32 ]. These findings highlight the importance of pain perception and severity, in addition to pain presence, in determining quality of life. In a multicountry study conducted by Wróblewska et al. among nursing home residents in Europe, pain and depressive symptoms were identified as primary contributors to reduced quality of life, despite similar prevalence rates across countries [ 33 ]. Likewise, Goyal and Mohanty found that pain was significantly associated with lower quality of life among middle-aged and older adults in India, with particularly low scores observed among individuals aged 75 years and older, women, those living in rural areas, and individuals with low literacy levels [ 34 ]. The finding of the present study that pain is associated with reduced quality of life in individuals aged 45 years and over is in line with previous research [ 18 , 35 ]. Beyond pain intensity alone, factors such as kinesiophobia, fear-avoidance beliefs, pain-related beliefs, occupational factors, limited physical activity, illness burden, and inadequate pain management have also been shown to negatively influence quality of life in older people experiencing pain [ 36 ]. Furthermore, Helvik et al. reported that nursing home residents with dementia who experienced more severe pain had significantly poorer quality of life, emphasizing the vulnerability of cognitively impaired older adults to the adverse effects of pain [ 37 ]. Similarly, a study conducted by Paz et al. in Brazil found that quality of life was negatively affected among older individuals with chronic pain, particularly those experiencing chest pain and musculoskeletal pain, as well as those reporting higher pain severity [ 38 ]. Collectively, these findings underscore the substantial and multidimensional impact of pain on quality of life in older people and highlight the importance of comprehensive pain assessment and management strategies in geriatric careThe present study demonstrated that the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), its subscales, pain severity, and socio-demographic characteristics together explained 38.2% of the variance in quality of life among older people (Table 5 ). Higher scores on the MPQ subscales and the presence of chronic disease were found to have significant negative effects on quality of life. These findings indicate that increased pain level and severity, along with comorbid chronic conditions, contribute to a deterioration in quality of life in older individuals. Consistent with the present results, Bilgili et al. reported a statistically significant association between the presence of chronic disease and lower quality of life among older adults [ 39 ]. Similarly, Paz et al. found that quality of life was impaired in older individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes and depression, highlighting the cumulative burden of pain and chronic illness on daily functioning and well-being [ 38 ]. Chronic diseases may exacerbate pain perception, limit functional capacity, and increase psychological distress, thereby further reducing quality of life.However, some studies in the literature have reported no significant association between the presence of chronic disease and quality of life in older populations [ 40 , 41 ]. These inconsistent findings may be attributed to differences in study design, sample characteristics, types and severity of chronic conditions, as well as variations in measurement tools used to assess quality of life. Despite these discrepancies, the present findings suggest that when chronic disease coexists with pain, its negative impact on quality of life becomes more pronounced. CONCLUSION This study examined the effect of pain level on quality of life among older adults and demonstrated that pain is a common and influential factor in later life. Back and knee pain were the most frequently reported pain sites, whereas foot pain was least prevalent. In terms of pain characteristics, older individuals most commonly described their pain as miserable, tiring, and disgusting, while numbing pain was reported less frequently. The findings showed that pain severity and the McGill Pain Questionnaire scores, including its subscales, explained a substantial proportion of the variance in quality of life. When socio-demographic characteristics were considered alongside pain-related variables, the explanatory power for quality of life remained similarly high. These results indicate that pain and its subjective characteristics play a significant role in shaping the quality of life of older people. Based on these findings, systematic pain assessment and encouraging older adults to clearly express their pain experiences are essential components of care. In addition, promoting social participation and strengthening family and peer relationships may contribute positively to quality of life. Supporting older individuals in maintaining autonomy, fostering positive reflections on the past, sustaining hope for the future, and experiencing emotional connectedness may further enhance overall well-being in older age. Declarations Thank you to all participants who participated in the research. No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors The research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not for profit sectors Abbreviations : If applicable, abbreviations used in the manuscript are defined at first mention. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was approved by the İnönü University Ethics Committee (Approval number: 4997, Date: 2023). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Availability of data and materials: The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Competing Interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Funding: This research was supported by the Inonu University Scientific Research Projects Unit (Project No: TYL-2024-3574). 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Tables Tables 1 to 5 are available in the supplementary files section Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Tables.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviews received at journal 30 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Mar, 2026 Reviews received at journal 30 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 25 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 26 Feb, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 10 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 10 Feb, 2026 First submitted to journal 10 Feb, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8758604","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":612443393,"identity":"4faea178-d096-4443-b25a-731199e46002","order_by":0,"name":"Beyzanur EKİCİ","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Inonu University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Beyzanur","middleName":"","lastName":"EKİCİ","suffix":""},{"id":612443400,"identity":"e1d09945-2ddf-447d-a51b-bbfa57d99350","order_by":1,"name":"Ümmühan Aktürk","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA+klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYJACZjDJAyIO2CSAOQkFRGkBUQfSEhjYQFoMiNdyGKKFAY8Wg2un06QLau4w8PecPyZdceZ8Hr98d+KHBwYM8vxiB7BruZ27TXrGsWcMEmeb2STP3LhdLNnGu1kC6DDDmbMTcGvhYTvMwHCemU2y4cPtxA3HeDeAtCQY3Man5d9hBnmIlnMgLZt/ENTC23aYwQDksIYbB0BatuG1RfJ27mZr3r7DDIZnDhtbNpxJTpzZlrvNIsFAAqdf+G7nbrzN8+0wg9yZxIc3G47ZJfYzn91880eFjTy/NHYtMFDfgCYggVf5KBgFo2AUjAL8AADggWI1TgvsxwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Inonu University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ümmühan","middleName":"","lastName":"Aktürk","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-02-01 19:53:55","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8758604/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8758604/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":105566944,"identity":"96097455-9090-4ccf-bf46-2508b1679c29","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-27 12:57:46","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":577502,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8758604/v1/52fa00a2-010c-4eb1-9794-45d0514363cd.pdf"},{"id":105545331,"identity":"9403a6ac-2b9f-4eb0-9c04-3d447edfba23","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-27 09:00:43","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":26501,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Tables.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8758604/v1/22e016e3ba41c97d74d42390.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"The Effect of Pain Level on Quality of Life of Older People Applying to Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of people aged 60 years and older reached 1\u0026nbsp;billion in 2019 and is projected to increase to 1.4\u0026nbsp;billion by 2030 and 2.1\u0026nbsp;billion by 2050 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. The rate of population ageing is accelerating compared to previous decades, and in 2020, the population aged 60 years and over surpassed the population of children under the age of five [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. T\u0026uuml;rkiye ranks 67th among 184 countries in terms of the proportion of older adults, with an elderly population rate of 10.2%, and this rate is expected to rise to 12.9% in 2030, 16.3% in 2040, 22.6% in 2060, and 25.6% in 2080 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs individuals age, physiological functions decline and the incidence of chronic diseases increases. Individuals aged 65 years and over may experience significant changes that can lead to difficulties in adaptation and the development of unhealthy behaviors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Pain is one of the most common health problems among older adults. Symptoms such as headache, chest pain, abdominal pain, back and joint pain, palpitations, syncope, heaviness in the legs, dyspnea, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea significantly increase the burden of suffering in elderly individuals [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Pain is a subjective experience that varies in quality and severity and negatively affects physical function, quality of life, and overall well-being [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Identifying the exact causes of pain in older adults is often difficult due to the presence of multiple pain sources [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBecause pain is a personal experience, its impact on quality of life must be assessed individually. The most effective method of pain assessment is based on individuals\u0026rsquo; self-reports, and healthcare professionals should value patients\u0026rsquo; expressions of pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e]. Nurses should recognize that each individual\u0026rsquo;s perception of pain is unique and that its effect on quality of life may differ accordingly [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs the proportion of older adults increases globally, providing optimal care for the elderly has become a major objective of health and social services [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. This issue is particularly important due to the increasing demand for institutional care [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. Quality healthcare involves meeting the physical, psychological, and social needs of older individuals at the highest possible level. Quality of life is a multidimensional concept and an essential component in evaluating overall health status [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe concept of illness is closely related to health-related quality of life, as it is often associated with pain and suffering, feelings of vulnerability and loneliness, reduced comfort, and depression [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Identifying factors that negatively affect quality of life can help develop care approaches that minimize these effects [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. A holistic and humanistic approach to elderly care is essential. Pain plays a critical role in shaping subjective perceptions of quality of life [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. It can limit physical functioning and activities of daily living, thereby negatively influencing quality of life and body functioning in older adults [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR16\" citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. Jakobsson et al. reported that older adults experiencing pain during daily activities had greater difficulty performing these activities, resulting in significantly lower quality of life [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. However, studies examining the relationship between pain level and quality of life in older adults remain limited. Therefore, the present study aims to contribute to this field.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAim\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted to determine the effect of pain level on quality of life in older people.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis research was conducted as a cross-sectional study. The present study was conducted in the Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre at a Numune Hospital, located in the province between October 2023 and June 2024. The multi-purpose Geriatrics center is the only center in the country where multi-disciplinary routine health services are provided to the elderly. Population of the present study consisted of 820 elderly individuals over the age of 65 who applied to the Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre, with four floors, equipped with 56 beds on each floor, affiliated with Sivas Numune Hospital, where the study would be conducted in one year. The sample was identified by power analysis. The sample size was found to be 291 people at an effect size of 0.25, a significance level of 0.05, and a confidence interval of 0.95. The sample was selected by using random sampling method from non-probability sampling methods.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eInclusion Criteria\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBeing open to communication,\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eVoluntary participation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/li\u003e\n \u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExclusion Criteria\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHaving difficulty in communication.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Collection\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data of the current study were collected from December 2023 to March 2024. To collect the data, a Personal Data Form containing socio-demographic data was prepared by the researcher, the McGill Pain Questionnaire - Turkish Version, and the WHOQOL-OLD.TR World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale - Older Adults Module were preferred. The data were collected from individuals over 65 years of age who applied to the Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre affiliated with Sivas Numune Hospital. The researcher collected the data through face-to-face interview technique by explaining the research\u0026rsquo;s purpose when the individuals were present in the clinic.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Collection Tools\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data were collected using a \u0026ldquo;Personal Data Form\u0026rdquo;, the \u0026ldquo;McGill Pain Questionnaire\u0026rdquo;, and the \u0026ldquo;Quality of Life Scale\u0026rdquo;.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePersonal Data Form\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe form prepared by the researcher consisted of questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the older people (age, gender, educational status, marital status, health insurance, presence of children, health perception, chronic diseases, presence of regular medications).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eMcGill Pain Questionnaire - Turkish Version\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), developed by Melzack and Torgerson [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e] and adapted into Turkish by Kuğuoğlu et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e], was used to assess pain in older individuals. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted in 2003 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. The MPQ evaluates pain across four dimensions: pain location, pain quality, temporal characteristics, and pain severity. In the present study, the MPQ was not analyzed using a total score; instead, each section was evaluated separately.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe first section assesses pain location using a body diagram, where participants indicate whether pain is superficial (S), deep (D), or both superficial and deep (DS) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. The second section consists of 20 word groups evaluating sensory, affective, evaluative, and miscellaneous pain qualities, yielding subscale scores for sensory (0\u0026ndash;40), affective (0\u0026ndash;14), evaluative (0\u0026ndash;5), and miscellaneous pain aspects (0\u0026ndash;19), with higher scores indicating greater pain intensity. The third section examines the temporal pattern of pain and factors that exacerbate or alleviate it. The fourth section evaluates pain severity using a five-point scale ranging from mild to unbearable, with total pain severity scores ranging from 0 to 30; higher scores indicate greater pain severity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWHOQOL-OLD.TR World Health Organisation Quality of Life Scale - Older Adults Module\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe WHOQOL-OLD module, developed by the World Health Organization and validated in T\u0026uuml;rkiye by Eser et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e], was used to assess quality of life in older individuals. The scale consists of 24 items grouped into six subscales: sensory abilities, autonomy, past, present and future activities, social participation, death and dying, and intimacy. Items are rated on a five-point Likert scale (1\u0026ndash;5), with subscale scores ranging from 4 to 20 and total scores ranging from 24 to 120; higher scores indicate better quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEser et al. reported acceptable internal consistency for the Turkish version, with Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha coefficients ranging from 0.68 to 0.88 across subscales [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. In the present study, Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha coefficients were 0.78 for social participation, 0.88 for sensory abilities, 0.74 for past, present and future activities, 0.70 for autonomy, 0.76 for death and dying, and 0.81 for intimacy, indicating good internal consistency.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe (SPSS) 24.0 software was used to analyse the data of the study. The socio-demographic characteristics of the participants were expressed in numbers, percentage distribution, means, and standard deviation values. The Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s \u0026alpha; reliability coefficient was used to determine the consistency of the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. In the present study, linear regression analysis was run to assess the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eResearch Variables\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; \u003cstrong\u003eDependent Variable\u003c/strong\u003e: Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026bull; \u003cstrong\u003eIndependent Variables\u003c/strong\u003e: Socio-demographic characteristics, pain level, McGill Pain Questionnaire\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eEthical Considerations\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEthical approval for this study was obtained from the Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee of the University of Health Sciences (Approval No: 2023/4997). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent to participate was obtained verbally from all elderly individuals who agreed to participate in the study prior to data collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\n \u003ch2\u003eLimitations and Generalisability of the Study\u003c/h2\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eThe limitations of the study are that its sample was not selected by probability sampling method and it was conducted in a single institution. Its findings obtained can be generalised to the population\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis section of the study that examined the effect of pain level on quality of life in the older people includes its findings.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe socio-demographic characteristics of the elderly are presented in Table 1.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Table 2 was examined, it was found that 81.3% of the participants reported suffering from deep pain in their head, 72.6% from deep pain in their body, 83.5% from deep pain in their arm, 97.5% from deep pain in their back, 97.5% from deep pain in their knee, 70.6% from deep pain in their calf, and 48.9% from deep pain in their\u0026nbsp;foot.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen Table 3 was analysed, it was determined that 49.5% of the participants reported a throbbing pain, 33% a stabbing pain, 48.8% a cramping pain, 43.6% an aching pain, 38.8% an intrusive pain, 42.6% a tense pain, 33.7% a burning pain, 31.6% a tingling pain, 43.3% a straining pain, 81.8% a miserable pain, 76.3% a tiring pain, 55.3% a disgusting pain, 33% a numbing pain, 40.2% an exhausting pain, 46.4% agonising pain, 33.3% a distressing pain, 51.9% a frightening pain, 54% a too sharp pain, 54% a shivering pain, and 45% a leaping pain. According to the correlation of pain with time, 55% of the older individuals reported that their pain was persistent, 34.4% reported that it was rhythmic, and 10.3% reported that it was acute.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 4 shows the factors that affected the quality of life of the older people (S=291). The effect of the variables we examined on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, its subscales, and the pain severity was found to be significant at the p \u0026lt; 0.05 level. The effect of characteristics related to qualitative data on the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module was determined, and it was found that R = .603, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e = .364, and Adj R = .350. Independent variables had an effect of 35% on the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module, and the result was statistically significant (p\u0026lt;0.001). The total score on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Sensory subscale, Affective subscale, Evaluative subscale, and Various Dimensions of Pain subscale had negative (-1.150, -1.131, -1.868, -1.253, -1.076) effects on the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module. Accordingly, higher total and subscale scores of the McGill Pain Questionnaire were found to impair the quality of life of the older people (Table 4).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 5 shows the effect of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, its subscales, pain severity, and sociodemographic characteristics on the Quality of Life in the older people (N=291). The effect of characteristics related to qualitative data on the dependence of Quality of Life in the older people was determined, and it was found that R=.618, R\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e=.382, and Ajd R=.346. Independent variables had an effect of 38.2% on the Quality of Life, and the result was statistically significant (p=0.000). The total score on the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Sensory subscale, and Affective subscale, and the presence of chronic disease had a negative effect on Quality of Life in the older people (-1.133, -1.098, -1.832, -1.285, -1.075, -3.710).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was found that pain severity, age, gender, marital status, educational level, income level, employment, number of children, perceived health state, social security, continuous use of medication, and diet had no effect on the Quality-of-Life Scale- Older Adults Module (p\u0026gt;0.05) (Table 5).\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eWith the increasing size of the older population, the burden of age-related health problems has become more pronounced, making the assessment of quality of life a key focus in geriatric research. Accordingly, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of pain level on quality of life in older people, and the findings were interpreted in comparison with existing literature.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results demonstrated that back pain (68.3%) and knee pain (59.7%) were the most prevalent pain sites among older individuals, whereas foot pain was reported least frequently (15.4%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Previous studies have reported varying distributions of pain sites depending on the study setting and population. For instance, \u0026Ouml;zel et al. reported that knee pain (64.6%) and headache (58.5%) were the most common complaints among nursing home residents, while low back pain was reported at a considerably lower rate (7.3%) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. In another study, 19.5% of older individuals with chronic pain reported knee pain, 16.5% hip pain, and 11.5% pain in other regions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarly, Cowan, Dunn, and Horgass identified the hip, legs, knees, and ankles as the primary locations of moderate to severe pain in older adults [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. Taken together, these findings suggest that pain in mobility-related body regions is common in later life, and the predominance of limb and back pain observed in the present study is consistent with the literature.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn terms of pain characteristics, participants most frequently described their pain as miserable (81.8%), tiring (76.3%), and disgusting (55.3%), while numbing pain was reported less often (31.6%). Regarding the temporal pattern of pain, more than half of the older individuals reported persistent pain (55%), followed by rhythmic pain (34.4%) and acute pain (10.3%) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Comparable findings have been reported in previous studies. Yıldız et al. found that 36.4% of older individuals described their pain as aching, whereas blunt pain was reported by only 3.6% of participants [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarly, Tavşanlı et al. reported that 63.8% of older individuals experienced persistent pain, 45.3% reported widespread pain, and 43.9% described their pain as rhythmic [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. Overall, the literature indicates considerable variability in the description of pain characteristics; however, persistent pain consistently emerges as the most common pattern, while acute pain is least frequently reported. In this respect, the findings of the present study are largely in line with existing evidence and further underscore the chronic nature of pain in older populations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present study demonstrated that the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and its subscales explained 29.5% of the variance in quality of life among older people and that higher MPQ scores were associated with poorer quality of life (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). These findings indicate that as pain intensity and qualitative pain dimensions increase, quality of life deteriorates. This result is consistent with previous studies reporting that pain adversely affects quality of life by impairing physical functioning, psychological well-being, social participation, and economic independence [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover, increasing pain severity and intensity have been shown to exacerbate limitations in physical, psychological, and social domains [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhen pain severity was included in the model, the explanatory power increased, with the MPQ, its subscales, and pain severity accounting for 35% of the variance in quality of life (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Higher total and subscale scores of the MPQ were associated with a further decline in quality of life, indicating a cumulative negative effect of pain intensity and pain characteristics. These findings reinforce evidence suggesting that multidimensional aspects of pain play a critical role in shaping quality of life in older populations [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsistent with the present results, Nielsen et al. reported that older individuals who experienced severe and fluctuating back pain over the previous year had significantly lower quality of life compared with those reporting mild to moderate pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarly, several studies have shown that individuals who perceive their back pain as threatening report poorer quality of life outcomes [\u003cspan additionalcitationids=\"CR31\" citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. These findings highlight the importance of pain perception and severity, in addition to pain presence, in determining quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn a multicountry study conducted by Wr\u0026oacute;blewska et al. among nursing home residents in Europe, pain and depressive symptoms were identified as primary contributors to reduced quality of life, despite similar prevalence rates across countries [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e]. Likewise, Goyal and Mohanty found that pain was significantly associated with lower quality of life among middle-aged and older adults in India, with particularly low scores observed among individuals aged 75 years and older, women, those living in rural areas, and individuals with low literacy levels [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e]. The finding of the present study that pain is associated with reduced quality of life in individuals aged 45 years and over is in line with previous research [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBeyond pain intensity alone, factors such as kinesiophobia, fear-avoidance beliefs, pain-related beliefs, occupational factors, limited physical activity, illness burden, and inadequate pain management have also been shown to negatively influence quality of life in older people experiencing pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, Helvik et al. reported that nursing home residents with dementia who experienced more severe pain had significantly poorer quality of life, emphasizing the vulnerability of cognitively impaired older adults to the adverse effects of pain [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSimilarly, a study conducted by Paz et al. in Brazil found that quality of life was negatively affected among older individuals with chronic pain, particularly those experiencing chest pain and musculoskeletal pain, as well as those reporting higher pain severity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. Collectively, these findings underscore the substantial and multidimensional impact of pain on quality of life in older people and highlight the importance of comprehensive pain assessment and management strategies in geriatric careThe present study demonstrated that the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), its subscales, pain severity, and socio-demographic characteristics together explained 38.2% of the variance in quality of life among older people (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). Higher scores on the MPQ subscales and the presence of chronic disease were found to have significant negative effects on quality of life. These findings indicate that increased pain level and severity, along with comorbid chronic conditions, contribute to a deterioration in quality of life in older individuals. Consistent with the present results, Bilgili et al. reported a statistically significant association between the presence of chronic disease and lower quality of life among older adults [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarly, Paz et al. found that quality of life was impaired in older individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes and depression, highlighting the cumulative burden of pain and chronic illness on daily functioning and well-being [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. Chronic diseases may exacerbate pain perception, limit functional capacity, and increase psychological distress, thereby further reducing quality of life.However, some studies in the literature have reported no significant association between the presence of chronic disease and quality of life in older populations [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e]. These inconsistent findings may be attributed to differences in study design, sample characteristics, types and severity of chronic conditions, as well as variations in measurement tools used to assess quality of life. Despite these discrepancies, the present findings suggest that when chronic disease coexists with pain, its negative impact on quality of life becomes more pronounced.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study examined the effect of pain level on quality of life among older adults and demonstrated that pain is a common and influential factor in later life. Back and knee pain were the most frequently reported pain sites, whereas foot pain was least prevalent. In terms of pain characteristics, older individuals most commonly described their pain as miserable, tiring, and disgusting, while numbing pain was reported less frequently.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings showed that pain severity and the McGill Pain Questionnaire scores, including its subscales, explained a substantial proportion of the variance in quality of life. When socio-demographic characteristics were considered alongside pain-related variables, the explanatory power for quality of life remained similarly high. These results indicate that pain and its subjective characteristics play a significant role in shaping the quality of life of older people.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBased on these findings, systematic pain assessment and encouraging older adults to clearly express their pain experiences are essential components of care. In addition, promoting social participation and strengthening family and peer relationships may contribute positively to quality of life. Supporting older individuals in maintaining autonomy, fostering positive reflections on the past, sustaining hope for the future, and experiencing emotional connectedness may further enhance overall well-being in older age.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThank you to all participants who participated in the research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo conflict of interest has been declared by the authors\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not for profit sectors\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbbreviations\u003c/strong\u003e:\u0026nbsp;If applicable, abbreviations used in the manuscript are defined at first mention.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Ethics approval and consent to participate:\u003c/strong\u003e This study was approved by the İnönü University Ethics Committee (Approval number: 4997, Date: 2023). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Consent for publication:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;Availability of data and materials:\u003c/strong\u003e The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interests\u003c/strong\u003e The authors declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThis research was supported by the Inonu University Scientific Research Projects Unit (Project No: TYL-2024-3574).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors' contributions:\u003c/strong\u003e Author EB contributed to the study design, data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation. Author AU contributed to data analysis and manuscript revision. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements:\u003c/strong\u003e The authors would like to thank all participants who took part in this study.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorld Health Organization. Ageing. Geneva: WHO; 2024.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAltındiş M. Yaşlılarda g\u0026uuml;ncel sağlık sorunları ve bakımı. İstanbul: İstanbul Tıp Kitapevi; 2013.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNetuveli G, Blane D. Quality of life in older ages. Br Med Bull. 2008;85:113\u0026ndash;126.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePereira LSM, Soares SM. Factors influencing quality of life in older adults. Cien Saude Colet. 2015;20(12):3647\u0026ndash;3657.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026Ccedil;ilingir D, Bulut E. Yaşlı bireylerde ağrıya yaklaşım. 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WHOQOL-OLD T\u0026uuml;rk\u0026ccedil;e s\u0026uuml;r\u0026uuml;m\u0026uuml;n\u0026uuml;n ge\u0026ccedil;erlilik ve g\u0026uuml;venilirliği. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2010;21(1):37\u0026ndash;48.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026Ouml;zel F, Yıldırım Y, Fadıloğlu \u0026Ccedil;. Pain management in nursing home residents. Agri. 2014;26(2):57\u0026ndash;64.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZanocchi M, Maero B, Nicola E, Martinelli E, Luppino A, Gonella M, et al. Chronic pain in nursing home residents and its impact on quality of life. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2008;47(1):121\u0026ndash;128.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCowan DT. Chronic non-cancer pain in older people: current evidence for prescribing. Br J Community Nurs. 2002;7(8):420\u0026ndash;425.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYildiz A, Erol S, Erg\u0026uuml;n A. Pain and depression risk among nursing home residents. Turk Geriatri Derg. 2009;12(3):156\u0026ndash;164.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eG\u0026uuml;ng\u0026ouml;r Tavşanlı N, \u0026Ouml;z\u0026ccedil;elik H, Karadakovan A. Quality of life in older adults experiencing pain. Agri. 2013;25(3):109\u0026ndash;116.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTurgul \u0026Ouml;, Mandıracıoğlu A, \u0026Ouml;zuğurlu B, \u0026Ouml;zgener N, Deveci H. Quality of life assessment in individuals aged 65 years and older. İzmir; 2004.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eL\u0026oslash;yland B, Miaskowski C, Paul SM, Dahl E, Rust\u0026oslash;en T. Chronic pain and health-related quality of life in Norway. Qual Life Res. 2010;19:1457\u0026ndash;1465.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGinnerup-Nielsen E, Harreby M, Christensen R, Bliddal H, Henriksen M. Illness perception, pain intensity and quality of life in elderly individuals. PeerJ. 2022;10:e14129.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eL\u0026oslash;chting I, Garratt AM, Storheim K, Werner EL, Grotle M. Evaluation of the brief illness perception questionnaire. J Pain Relief. 2013;2:122.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u0026Uuml;nal \u0026Ouml;, Akyol Y, Tander B, Ulus Y, Terzi Y, Kuru \u0026Ouml;. Illness perception, pain severity and quality of life in chronic low back pain. Turk J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019;65(4):301\u0026ndash;309.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFoster NE, Bishop A, Thomas E, Main C, Horne R, Weinman J, et al. Illness perceptions of low back pain patients. Pain. 2008;136(1\u0026ndash;2):177\u0026ndash;187.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWr\u0026oacute;blewska I, Talarska D, Wr\u0026oacute;blewska Z, Susło R, Drobnik J. Pain, depression and quality of life in institutionalized elderly. BMC Geriatr. 2019;19:116.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGoyal AK, Mohanty SK. Association of pain and quality of life among older adults in India. BMC Geriatr. 2022;22(1):939.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZis P, Daskalaki A, Bountouni I, Sykioti P, Varrassi G, Paladini A. Depression and chronic pain in the elderly. Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:709\u0026ndash;720.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAgnus Tom A, Rajkumar E, John R, George AJ. Determinants of quality of life in chronic low back pain. Health Psychol Behav Med. 2022;10(1):124\u0026ndash;144.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHelvik AS, Bergh S, \u0026Scaron;altytė Benth J, Borza T, Huseb\u0026oslash; B, Tevik K. Pain and quality of life in nursing home residents with dementia. BMC Health Serv Res. 2023;23(1):1032.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaz MGD, Souza LAF, Tatagiba BSF, Serra JR, Moura LAD, Barbosa MA, et al. Factors associated with quality of life in older adults with chronic pain. Rev Bras Enferm. 2021;74:e20200554.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBilgili N, Arpacı F. Quality of life of older adults in Turkey. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2014;59(2):415\u0026ndash;421.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErcan Şahin N, Emiroğlu ON. Quality of life and related factors in nursing home residents. J Hacettepe Univ Fac Nurs. 2014;1(1):57\u0026ndash;66.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLuleci E, Hey W, Subasi F. Quality of life of nursing home residents in Turkey. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2008;46(1):57\u0026ndash;66.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003eTables 1 to 5 are available in the supplementary files section\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-geriatrics","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"bgtc","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Geriatrics](http://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/bgtc/default.aspx","title":"BMC Geriatrics","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Geriatrics, Pain, Life Quality","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8758604/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8758604/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePurpose: \u003c/strong\u003eThis study was conducted to determine the effect of pain level on quality of life in the older people.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethods: \u003c/strong\u003eThis cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2023 and November 2024. The data were collected using a Personal Data Form, the McGill Pain Questionnaire, and the Quality of Life Scale. 291 elderly people were reached.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults:\u003c/strong\u003e The McGill Pain Questionnaire, its subscales, and pain severity had an effect of 35% on the quality of life in the older people. The subscales of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, pain severity, and socio-demographic characteristics had an effect of 34.6% on the quality of life in the older people.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusions: \u003c/strong\u003eIt was found that pain level had a negative effect on quality of life in the older people, and quality of life was impaired as the pain level and severity elevated in them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical Relevance: \u003c/strong\u003eThe findings of this study emphasize that pain assessment and effective pain management are critical components of geriatric care. Regular evaluation of pain level and severity in older adults applying to multi-purpose geriatrics centres can help healthcare professionals identify individuals at risk for decreased quality of life. Integrating comprehensive pain management strategies into routine care may improve functional status, psychosocial well-being, and overall quality of life in older people.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"The Effect of Pain Level on Quality of Life of Older People Applying to Multi-Purpose Geriatrics Centre","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-03-27 09:00:38","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8758604/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-30T13:51:56+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"15310212909549553416974403881617408187","date":"2026-03-30T09:01:48+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-03-30T05:49:33+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"218095785388831772977020300942374563865","date":"2026-03-29T23:09:46+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-03-25T10:23:12+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2026-02-26T15:43:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-02-10T13:21:50+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-02-10T12:28:01+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Geriatrics","date":"2026-02-10T11:37:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-geriatrics","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"bgtc","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Geriatrics](http://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/bgtc/default.aspx","title":"BMC Geriatrics","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"aeae15f9-0aa2-4a5c-ad57-198ff293b30c","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 27th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-27T09:00:39+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-03-27 09:00:38","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8758604","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8758604","identity":"rs-8758604","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}