Work

Post-operative pain management in elders

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background The U.S. elder population is rapidly growing. It is well known that the pain and surgical experience changes with age. The aim of this study was to examine the association between patients' age and post-operative pain experience, with a specific focus on assessing the risk of prolonged opioid use and readmissions in relation to age. Methods We utilized the nationwide Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA) data to evaluate patients undergoing surgery between 2010 and 2020. We performed bivariate analyses to compare patient characteristics, post-operative outcomes, and prescribed medications based on age group. Multivariate logistic models were used to estimate the association of demographic, surgical, and pain-related characteristics with prolonged opioid use. Results We identified 460,653 Veterans who underwent surgery. Our sample population consists of 43,282 (9 %) females, with an average age of 50.02 (SD = 12.20), and 417,371 (91 %) males, with an average age of 61.91 (SD = 12.29). We found that patients aged 51–70 years old (as compared 18–30, 31–50, 71–89 age groups) and those with a history of opioid use disorder had an associated increased risk of post-operative prolonged opioid use. Over the duration of the study, prolonged opioid use risk reduced. Conclusion The study highlights that individuals who are 51–70 years old are at a higher risk of prolonged opioid use following surgery. This despite receiving similar opioid prescriptions upon discharge. Our findings emphasize the need for personalized pain management strategies that take age into account to mitigate opioid-related risks in this population.

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e43465