- Long-term study links depression, loneliness, and physical pain in older adults.
- Depressive symptoms and loneliness may increase before the onset of pain.
- Association between pain, depression, and loneliness persisted even after adjusting for medical conditions.
- Study emphasizes the importance of early identification and management of mental health symptoms in older adults.
- Potential need for psychosocial screening in primary care for older adults to reduce the onset of pain.
Source: eClinicalMedicine
