Background Few studies have examined the associations between pain trajectories and cognitive function in older adults. This study explored the associations between pain trajectories and different cognitive domains in older adults from a network perspective. Methods Data on pain trajectories were derived from the Health and Retirement Study between 2010 and 2020 using latent class growth analyses. Measurements of key cognition domains, including memory, attention, calculation, orientation and language, were included. Linear regression and network analysis were performed to evaluate the associations between different pain trajectories and cognition. Results A total of 9,551 older adults were included in this study and three trajectories of pain were identified. After controlling for the covariates, persistent severe pain trajectory was associated with poorer overall cognition, memory and calculation ability when compared to mild or non-persistent pain trajectory. In the pain and cognition network model, memory (expected influence (EI) = 0.62), language (EI = 0.58) and calculation (EI = 0.41) were the most central domains. Conclusions Pain trajectories appeared stable over time among older adults in this study. Severity of persistent pain was an important risk factor for poor cognition, especially in relation to memory and calculation domains. Interventions targeting memory, language and calculation domains might be useful in addressing cognitive decline in older adults with persistent pain.

中文翻译：

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老年人疼痛轨迹及其与认知的关系：网络视角下的 10 年队列研究

背景 很少有研究探讨老年人疼痛轨迹与认知功能之间的关联。这项研究从网络角度探讨了老年人的疼痛轨迹与不同认知领域之间的关联。方法 疼痛轨迹数据来自 2010 年至 2020 年的健康与退休研究，使用潜在阶层增长分析。包括记忆、注意力、计算、方向和语言等关键认知领域的测量。进行线性回归和网络分析来评估不同疼痛轨迹和认知之间的关联。结果 本研究总共纳入了 9,551 名老年人，并确定了三种疼痛轨迹。控制协变量后，与轻度或非持续性疼痛轨迹相比，持续性重度疼痛轨迹与较差的整体认知、记忆和计算能力相关。在疼痛和认知网络模型中，记忆（预期影响（EI）= 0.62）、语言（EI = 0.58）和计算（EI = 0.41）是最核心的领域。结论 在本研究中，老年人的疼痛轨迹随着时间的推移似乎保持稳定。持续性疼痛的严重程度是认知不良的一个重要危险因素，特别是在记忆和计算领域。针对记忆、语言和计算领域的干预措施可能有助于解决患有持续性疼痛的老年人认知能力下降的问题。