[Pain management in people with dementia : Recognizing pain and providing supportive care].

Authors

Patricia Teresa Hollfelder, Albert Lukas

Published in

Schmerz (Berlin, Germany). Sep 09, 2026. Epub Sep 09, 2026.

Abstract

Pain in dementia is frequently underrecognized, although early and reliable detection is fundamental to any effective pain management. Structured assessment combines subjective scales (for Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE] ≥ 10) with observer-based scales (for MMSE < 10), evaluated both at rest and during movement. Responsive behaviors may indicate pain, making differentiated observation essential. Multimodal therapy includes both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Criteria lists for potentially inappropriate medications support risk-adapted prescribing. Opioids are not standard therapy for chronic non-cancer pain and should only be used when clearly indicated, after exhausting other treatment options, and under regular reassessment of benefits and risks. The principle of "start low, go slow" is central to analgesic therapy in patients with dementia.

PMID:
42714642
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 10 Sep 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.