The influence of undertreated chronic pain in a national survey: Prescription medication misuse among American indians, Asian Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Hispanics and whites.
SSM Popul Health 2020;
11:100563. [PMID:
32637551 PMCID:
PMC7327281 DOI:
10.1016/j.ssmph.2020.100563]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective
Disparities in the assessment and treatment of chronic pain among racial/ethnic may lead to self-treatment for undertreated pain. This study examines whether pain intensity among US racial/ethnic groups’ influences rates of psychotherapeutic prescription drug misuse.
Methods
Data included civilian, non-institutionalized adults (age 18–99 years) residing in the United States (n = 34,653) from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcoholism and Related Conditions (NESARC; 2004–2005). The primary outcome variable was prescription drug misuse/PDM (i.e., use without a prescription or other than as prescribed) including tranquilizers, sedatives, stimulants, or opioids. Predictor variables included self-reported race/ethnicity (American Indian, Black, Hispanic, or White) and pain intensity. Data were analyzed in 2019.
Results
Overall, White and Hispanic participants’ pain intensity had a significantly curvilinear relationship with frequency of prescription medication (p < 0.01). PDM rose with pain intensity until pain levels reached “severe,” then PDM rates fell, not significantly differing from the “no pain” levels (χ2(1) = 0.65, p = 0.42). PDM rates for Black participants remained lowest of all other racial/ethnic groups and plateaued with increasing pain intensity.
Conclusions
Our results indicate that undertreated chronic pain may drive rates of PDM among varying racial/ethnic groups. Providing equitable assessment and treatment of pain intensity remains critical. Additional research is needed to examine provider decision-making and unconscious bias, as well as patient health beliefs surrounding perceived need for prescription pain medications.
Prescription drug misuse (PDM) rates vary by racial/ethnic groups.
Pain intensity appears to affect PDM.
PDM is not more likely in Black patients than Whites.
PDM reduction in racial/ethnic populations must address provider implicit bias.
Provider education needs include differences in cultural pain expression.
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