[Epidemiological characteristics of chronic pain and influencing factors in older adults aged 65 years and above in 18 longevity areas in China].

The overall prevalence of chronic pain among older adults aged ≥65 years in 18 longevity areas in China was 61.25%.

• A total of 5,874 older adults were included in the study.
• Mean age of participants was 85.59 ± 11.65 years.
• 3,598 out of 5,874 participants were classified in the pain group.
• Participants were classified using a numerical rating scale into pain and non-pain groups.
• Data were drawn from the 2021 China Healthy Ageing and Biomarkers Cohort Study (cross-sectional).

Chronic pain prevalence varied significantly by geographic region within China.

• Prevalence was highest in central China (66.40%), compared to eastern China (58.91%) and western China (58.88%).
• Prevalence was higher in southern China (63.34%) than in northern China (58.49%).
• Living in central China was an independent risk factor for chronic pain (OR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.09–1.59, P<0.05).

Chronic pain prevalence was higher in women than in men among older adults.

• Prevalence was 65.63% in women compared to 55.38% in men.
• Female sex was an independent risk factor for chronic pain (OR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.46–2.00, P<0.05).

The lower back was the most common site of severe pain, followed by the knee and shoulder/neck/back.

• Lower back accounted for 32.46% of primary severe pain sites.
• Knee was the second most common severe pain site at 31.75%.
• Shoulder/neck/back accounted for 9.89% of primary severe pain sites.

Depression was the strongest risk factor for chronic pain among older adults in the logistic regression model.

• Depression was associated with chronic pain with OR=2.25 (95%CI: 1.89–2.67, P<0.05).
• This was the highest odds ratio among all identified risk factors.
• Unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze influencing factors.

Overweight and obesity were independent risk factors for chronic pain in older adults.

• Overweight status was associated with chronic pain (OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.09–1.59, P<0.05).
• Obesity was associated with a higher risk (OR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.33–2.13, P<0.05).

Moderate or inferior financial status, having five or more chronic diseases, and hypertension were additional risk factors for chronic pain.

• Moderate/inferior financial status: OR=1.21 (95%CI: 1.02–1.45, P<0.05).
• Five or more chronic diseases: OR=1.33 (95%CI: 1.08–1.63, P<0.05).
• Hypertension: OR=1.29 (95%CI: 1.13–1.46, P<0.05).

Self-assessed good health status was a protective factor against chronic pain.

• Self-assessed good health was associated with lower odds of chronic pain (OR=0.44, 95%CI: 0.36–0.55, P<0.05).
• This was the only protective factor identified in the logistic regression model.