A new study led by the University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) has found that older Australians suffering from chronic pain are at a significantly higher risk of developing dementia.
Chronic pain, which affects about one-third of older people, appears to nearly double the risk of dementia, according to the research published in Value in Health.
Dementia is a growing concern as the population ages, and this study is the first in Australia to establish a direct connection between chronic pain and dementia risk.
The research team, led by Ph.D. student Rezwanul Haque, adjusted their analysis for factors such as age and gender and found that the increased risk was consistent across all age groups.
Haque explained several potential reasons why chronic pain might increase the risk of dementia.
Chronic pain can interfere with attention, memory, decision-making, and overall cognitive functioning.
It also raises stress levels, which can lead to the release of cortisol, a hormone linked to the degeneration of the hippocampus—the part of the brain responsible for memory.
Haque noted that chronic pain puts a strain on the brain by sending constant pain signals, which can deplete the brain’s resources needed for cognitive tasks like memory and thinking.
Additionally, chronic pain may disrupt the brain’s natural pain-relief system, leading to further cognitive decline, including loss of both working and long-term memory.
The study analyzed data from more than 40,000 Australians aged 65 and older, collected through surveys in 2015 and 2018.
Haque said the team was surprised by the large difference in dementia risk between those with chronic pain and those without, calling it a “striking reminder” that chronic pain may be a more serious dementia risk factor than previously thought.
Haque emphasized the need for better management of chronic pain among older adults. Despite being a common problem, chronic pain is not recognized as a national public health priority in Australia.
He stressed that a personalized and continuous healthcare strategy is urgently needed, especially for those in rural and remote areas who may have limited access to effective pain management.
Haque concluded that more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of chronic pain in relation to aging and dementia, and to develop safer and more effective treatments for managing pain in the elderly.
He also highlighted the importance of early intervention to reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
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