Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41978902›Full record

ReviewClinical pharmacology : advances and applications2026

Chronic Pain in Elderly Patients: Pathophysiology, Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Therapies, and Interventional Management.

Ankur Jain, Eliot Sadik, Alejandra Cardenas-Rojas, Krithika Mahesh, Preston Ooi, Vahid Grami, Paul Christo

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical pharmacology : advances and applications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Ankur JainDepartment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Eliot SadikDepartment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Alejandra Cardenas-RojasDepartment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Krithika MaheshDepartment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Preston OoiDepartment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Vahid GramiDepartment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.ORCID 0009-0009-1881-0574
Paul ChristoDepartment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: Chronic pain is a debilitating condition faced among the geriatric population, contributing to reduced mobility, impaired daily function, and increased dependence on healthcare services. This review explores the current landscape of chronic pain in the elderly, providing a comprehensive overview of treatment options, with the goal of exploring more effective, individualized care. Patients and Methods: This narrative review draws on a range of studies and clinical publications accessible through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. The literature reviewed includes research on the underlying mechanisms, diagnostic challenges, and treatment strategies for chronic pain in older adults. Clinical relevance and practical approaches were explored, where risks and benefits of pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, and interventional therapies were explored. Results: Chronic pain in the elderly is often undertreated, likely due to unaccounted comorbidities and age-related changes in drug metabolism. While acetaminophen remains the recommended first-line agent, the use of NSAIDs and opioids in this population carries significant risks and demands careful consideration. Adjuvant medications such as SNRIs and gabapentinoids offer additional options for neuropathic pain, but may require dose adjustments or close adverse effect monitoring. Non-pharmacologic interventions-such as physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy- often are underutilized despite a strong safety profile and evidence of benefit. In cases refractory to conservative measures, interventional procedures including epidural steroid injections, radiofrequency ablation, and spinal cord stimulation may offer meaningful relief for select patients. Conclusion: Managing chronic pain in older adults requires a thoughtful, individualized approach that balances effectiveness with safety. As the population ages, there is a growing need for more inclusive research, better integration of non-drug therapies, and greater access to interdisciplinary care. Tailoring treatment to individual goals can help improve outcomes and preserve independence and function in this vulnerable group.

Indexed as

functional outcomesgeriatric careinterventional proceduresmultimodal pain managementnon-pharmacologic therapyopioids

Identifiers

PMID41978902
PMCPMC13070327

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.