Aims: Chronic pain is a high-cost health problem. The aim of this study was to analyse the occurrence of pain among the elderly focusing on gender, distribution and treatment of pain, sleep disturbance, depression, overweight and use of healthcare providers.

Methods: The sample includes 769 individuals with pain out of 1402 individuals in the Swedish SNAC (Blekinge) database. This sample of elderly people from different (10) age cohorts (aged 60-96yrs) is being followed over time. Data were collected from physical examinations, patient records and a questionnaire which sought information concerning the following areas: domestic arrangements; current pain and areas most affected; sleep patterns and depression.

Results: The whole sample comprised a majority of women, 817 (58,3%) and in the group with pain 496 (64.5%) were women. The most common treatment was pharmaceutical drugs.  Seven groups were identified according to the location of the worst pain, the largest being the legs, 518 (65.6%). Women with pain reported more insomnia p<0.040, use of sleeping pills p<0.0003 and depression p<0.008. Overweight is a common problem among the elderly in general and also among the elderly with pain. Women were overrepresented concerning contacts with GP´s p<0.004 and primary care nurses p<0.003.

Conclusions: Elderly people with pain are usually treated with drugs. The majority of those who reported insomnia (73.4%) were among individuals with pain. There are gender differences regarding insomnia and depression confirmed in the group of elderly people with pain. This group is also overrepresented concerning contacts with healthcare providers.