# Investigation of Night Pain in Geriatric Regional Degenerative Pain and Associated Conditions

**Authors:** Bilgehan Kolutek Ay, Cem Zafer Yıldır

PMC · DOI: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2026.251085 · The Eurasian Journal of Medicine · 2026-02-20

## TL;DR

This study explores night pain in elderly patients with degenerative pain, finding that poor sleep and low education are key risk factors.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel associations between night pain in the elderly and factors like sleep quality and analgesic resistance.

## Key findings

- 73% of geriatric patients with degenerative osteoarthritis reported night pain.
- Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with night pain (P < .001).
- Low education levels and resistance to analgesics were linked to higher night pain incidence.

## Abstract

Chronic and night pain are common challenges in the geriatric population, often complicating pain management. This study aimed to evaluate sleep quality, night pain frequency, and associated factors in regional degenerative pain among elderly patients to identify individuals at risk for night pain early.

A total of 130 geriatric patients diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis and experiencing regional chronic pain were included. Demographic data, sleep quality, and bone mineral density were assessed. Patients were grouped based on the presence of night pain, and comparisons were made accordingly.

Night pain was reported by 95 patients (73%), and 76 participants (58%) had poor sleep quality. Those with night pain showed significantly worse sleep quality (P < .001). No significant differences were found between groups in terms of pain location, gender, or number of chronic conditions (P = .41, P = .368, P = .206). However, night pain was significantly more common among participants with low education levels or illiteracy (P = .006). Resistance to simple analgesics was also higher in the night pain group (P = .009). Bone mineral density values did not significantly differ between groups (P = .785, P = .398, P = .232).

Early identification of geriatric patients at risk for night pain is essential for optimal pain management. Poor sleep quality, inadequate response to analgesics, and lower education levels were significantly associated with night pain. Proactive follow-up and individualized treatment approaches may improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** gastrointestinal complications (MESH:D005767), diabetic neuropathy (MESH:D003929), Osteoporosis (MESH:D010024), nociceptive pain (MESH:D059226), knee osteoarthritis (MESH:D020370), degenerative ligament or tendon pathologies (MESH:D052256), Hypertension (MESH:D006973), multiple sclerosis (MESH:D009103), infectious diseases (MESH:D003141), chronic disease (MESH:D002908), neuropathy (MESH:D009422), cognitive impairment (MESH:D003072), impaired renal function (MESH:D007674), Chronic and night pain (MESH:D059350), depressive symptoms (MESH:D003866), rotator cuff pathologies (MESH:D000070636), neuropathic (MESH:D009437), Musculoskeletal problems (MESH:D009140), dementia (MESH:D003704), CAD (MESH:D003324), peripheral neuropathy (MESH:D010523), pain syndromes (MESH:C538101), cancerous (MESH:D009369), diabetes (MESH:D003920), spinal canal stenosis (MESH:D013130), spondylosis (MESH:D055009), inflammation (MESH:D007249), degenerative joint disease (MESH:D019636), trauma (MESH:D014947), entrapment neuropathies (MESH:D009408), degenerative pain (MESH:D010146), fractures (MESH:D050723), sleep disorders (MESH:D012893), hemiplegic shoulder (MESH:D000070599), Osteoarthritis (MESH:D010003), chronic low back pain (MESH:D017116), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (MESH:D020918), acute or chronic pain (MESH:D059787), intervertebral disc herniation (MESH:D007405), Degenerative musculoskeletal pain (MESH:D059352), BMD (MESH:D001851), stroke (MESH:D020521)
- **Chemicals:** melatonin (MESH:D008550), steroidal (-), endocannabinoid (MESH:D063388), paracetamol (MESH:D000082)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Meleagris gallopavo (common turkey, species) [taxon 9103]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

23 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12966890/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12966890