Impact of pain on outcomes in long-term care residents with and without multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES: To compare long-term care (LTC) residents with and without multiple sclerosis (MS); to compare admission status of pain, physical disability, pressure ulcers, depression, and cognitive performance in LTC residents with and without MS; and to examine the impact of MS and pain on outcomes 90 and 180 days after LTC admission. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a large data set. SETTING: LTC facilities in Missouri. PARTICIPANTS: Residents admitted to non-hospital-based LTC facilities. MEASUREMENTS: Minimum Data Set/Resident Assessment Instrument, Version 2.0; Activities of Daily Living Scale; Cognitive Performance Scale. RESULT(S): Residents with and without MS had similar pain prevalence and intensity after admission, with daily pain more frequent in residents with MS (P = .03). On admission, residents with MS had more physical disability (P < .001) and a greater prevalence of pressure ulcers (P =.004) and depression (P < .001) than residents without MS. In all LTC residents, initial pain status was associated with physical disability (P < .001), pressure ulcers (P < .001), depression (P < .001), and cognitive performance (P < .001) 90 and 180 days after admission. A diagnosis of MS was associated with physical disability (P < .001) 90 and 180 days after admission and pressure ulcer development 180 days after admission (P = .02). CONCLUSION(S): Residents with MS were more physically disabled and had more frequent pain and a higher prevalence of pressure ulcers and depression on admission than residents without MS. Pain, or lack thereof, in residents with and without MS on admission may warn of problems that could occur within 6 months after admission to a LTC facility. © 2005 by the American Geriatrics Society.