Prevalence and Impact of High-Impact Chronic Pain on Subjective Cognitive Decline: The Moderating Role of Age in the NHIS Dataset

J Appl Gerontol. 2026 Apr 9:7334648261439433. doi: 10.1177/07334648261439433. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundHigh-impact chronic pain (HICP) involves chronic pain that substantially limits social, work, and self-care activities. Its association with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and the moderating role of age remain unclear.ObjectiveTo test whether HICP is associated with SCD across mid- to late-life age groups in community-dwelling adults.MethodsWe analyzed 2020 National Health Interview Survey data from 18,422 adults aged 50+. Multiple logistic regressions evaluated associations between HICP and SCD, stratified by age and adjusted for sociodemographic, behavioral, and health covariates.ResultsHICP was significantly associated with greater odds of SCD in most age strata, although effect sizes generally weakened in the oldest groups. Among adults with chronic pain, those meeting HICP criteria had elevated SCD risk.ConclusionThe HICP-SCD association is not uniform across age. Targeted prevention may be warranted for adults aged 50-59, who appear more vulnerable to SCD.

PMID:41957903 | DOI:10.1177/07334648261439433