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Licciardone JC, Miller CL, Nazzal AJ, Hernandez CT, Nguyen LH, Aryal S. Racial Disparities in Opioid Use and Lumbar Spine Surgery for Chronic Pain and in Pain and Function Over 3 Years: A Retrospective Cohort Study. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024; 25:659-671. [PMID: 37777036 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2023.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to compare treatments and outcomes among Black and White patients with chronic low back pain in the United States. A retrospective cohort study was conducted within a pain research registry, including 1,443 participants with up to 3 years of follow-up. Pain treatments were measured at quarterly research encounters using reported current opioid use and prior lumbar spine surgery. Pain intensity and functional disability were also measured quarterly with a numerical rating scale and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, respectively. Longitudinal data were analyzed with generalized estimating equations, including multivariable models to measure temporal trends and adjust for potential confounders. The mean baseline age of participants was 53.5 years (SD, 13.1 years); 1,074 (74.4%) were female, and 260 (18.0%) were Black. In longitudinal multivariable analyses, Black participants reported more frequent current opioid use (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.91; P = .03) and less frequent lumbar spine surgery (odds ratio, .45; 95% CI, .28-.72; P < .001). Black participants also reported greater pain intensity (mean, 6.6; 95% CI, 6.3-6.9 vs mean, 5.6; 95% CI, 5.4-5.8; P < .001) and functional disability (mean, 15.3; 95% CI, 14.6-16.0 vs mean, 13.8; 95% CI, 13.2-14.3; P = .002). Racial disparities were clinically important (risk ratio = 1.28 and risk ratio = .49, respectively, for opioid use and surgery; and d = .46 and d = .24, respectively, for pain and function). Racial disparities in pain and function also widened over time. Thus, barriers to guideline-adherent and specialized pain care among Black patients may affect pain and function outcomes. Greater efforts are needed to address the observed racial disparities. PERSPECTIVE: Widening racial disparities in pain and function over time indicate that new approaches to chronic pain management are needed in the United States. Considering race as a social framework represents an emerging strategy for planning and improving pain treatment services for Black patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Licciardone
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Chase L Miller
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Alex J Nazzal
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Christian T Hernandez
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Linh H Nguyen
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Subhash Aryal
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Gordon AJ, Saxon AJ, Kertesz S, Wyse JJ, Manhapra A, Lin LA, Chen W, Hansen J, Pinnell D, Huynh T, Baylis JD, Cunningham FE, Ghitza UE, Bart G, Yu H, Sauer BC. Buprenorphine use and courses of care for opioid use disorder treatment within the Veterans Health Administration. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 248:109902. [PMID: 37196572 PMCID: PMC10875624 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retention of patients in buprenorphine medication treatment for opioid use disorder (B-MOUD) reduces harms associated with opioid use disorder (OUD). We sought to characterize the patients receiving B-MOUD and courses of B-MOUD in a large healthcare system. METHODS We conducted a retrospective, open cohort study of patients with OUD who either did or did not receive B-MOUD courses within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from January 2006 through July 2019, using VHA clinical data. We compared patients receiving or not receiving B-MOUD, characterized B-MOUD courses (e.g., length and doses), and examined persistence, across patient characteristics, over time. We used analyses for normally or non-normally distributed continuous variables, categorical data, and persistence over time (Kaplan-Meier persistence curves). RESULTS We identified 255,726 Veterans with OUD; 40,431 (15.8%) had received 63,929 B-MOUD courses. Compared to patients with OUD without B-MOUD, patients with B-MOUD were younger, more often of white race, and had more co-morbidities. The frequency of new B-MOUD starts and prevalent B-MOUD patients ranged from 1550 and 1989 in 2007 to 8146 and 16,505 in 2018, respectively. The median duration of B-MOUD was 157 (IQR: 37-537) days for all courses and 33.8% patients had more than one course. The average proportion days covered was 90% (SD: 0.15), and the average prescribed daily dose was 13.44 (SD: 6.5). CONCLUSIONS Within a VHA B-MOUD cohort, courses increased more than 10-fold from 2006 to 2016 with nearly half of patients experiencing multiple courses. Patient demographics seem to dictate the length of courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Gordon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Andrew J Saxon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Center of Excellence in Substance Addiction Treatment and Education (CESATE), VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stefan Kertesz
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Birmingham, AL, USA; Department of Medicine, Heersink UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jessica J Wyse
- Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC), VA Portland Health CareSystem, Portland, OR, USA; School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University,PortlandOR, USA
| | - Ajay Manhapra
- Section of Pain Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services, Hampton VA Medical Center, Hampton, VA, USA
| | - Lewei A Lin
- VA Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR), VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jared Hansen
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Derek Pinnell
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tina Huynh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jacob D Baylis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | | | - Udi E Ghitza
- Center for the Clinical Trials Network (CCTN), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gavin Bart
- Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Hong Yu
- Center for Biomedical and Health Research in Data Sciences and Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA; Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Brian C Sauer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytics Science (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Patel M, Johnson AJ, Booker SQ, Bartley EJ, Palit S, Powell-Roach K, Terry EL, Fullwood D, DeMonte L, Mickle AM, Sibille KT. Applying the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework to Identify Needs and Opportunities in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Research. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 23:25-44. [PMID: 34280570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Disparities in the experience of chronic musculoskeletal pain in the United States stem from a confluence of a broad array of factors. Organized within the National Institute on Aging Health Disparity Research Framework, a literature review was completed to evaluate what is known and what is needed to move chronic musculoskeletal pain research forward specific to disproportionately affected populations. Peer-reviewed studies published in English, on human adults, from 2000 to 2019, and conducted in the United States were extracted from PubMed and Web of Science. Articles were reviewed for key words that focused on underrepresented ethnic/race groups with chronic musculoskeletal pain applying health factor terms identified in the NIAHealth Disparity Research Framework four levels of analysis: 1) environmental, 2) sociocultural, 3) behavioral, and 4) biological. A total of 52 articles met inclusion criteria. There were limited publications specific to underrepresented ethnic/race groups with chronic musculoskeletal pain across all levels with particular research gaps under sociocultural and biological categories. Current limitations in evidence may be supplemented by a foundation of findings specific to the broader topic of "chronic pain" which provides guidance for future investigations. Study designs including a focus on protective factors and multiple levels of analyses would be particularly meritorious. PERSPECTIVE: Chronic musculoskeletal pain unequally burdens underrepresented ethnic/race groups. In order to move research forward and to systematically investigate the complex array of factors contributing toward health disparities, an organized approach is necessary. Applying the NIA Health Disparities Research Framework, an overview of the current state of evidence specific to chronic musculoskeletal pain and underrepresented ethnic/race groups is provided with future directions identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Patel
- Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine, University of Florida Health at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Alisa J Johnson
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Staja Q Booker
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Emily J Bartley
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Shreela Palit
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Keesha Powell-Roach
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Ellen L Terry
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Dottington Fullwood
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lucas DeMonte
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Angela M Mickle
- Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science, College of Dentistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kimberly T Sibille
- Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, Institute on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
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Bazargan M, Cobb S, Wisseh C, Assari S. Psychotropic and Opioid-Based Medication Use among Economically Disadvantaged African-American Older Adults. PHARMACY 2020; 8:E74. [PMID: 32349239 PMCID: PMC7355863 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy8020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
African-American older adults, particularly those who live in economically deprived areas, are less likely to receive pain and psychotropic medications, compared to Whites. This study explored the link between social, behavioral, and health correlates of pain and psychotropic medication use in a sample of economically disadvantaged African-American older adults. This community-based study recruited 740 African-American older adults who were 55+ yeas-old in economically disadvantaged areas of South Los Angeles. Opioid-based and psychotropic medications were the outcome variables. Gender, age, living arrangement, socioeconomic status (educational attainment and financial strain), continuity of medical care, health management organization membership, sleeping disorder/insomnia, arthritis, back pain, pain severity, self-rated health, depressive symptoms, and major chronic conditions were the explanatory variables. Logistic regression was used for data analyses. Arthritis, back pain, severe pain, and poor self-rated health were associated with opioid-based medications. Pain severity and depressive symptoms were correlated with psychotropic medication. Among African-American older adults, arthritis, back pain, poor self-rated health, and severe pain increase the chance of opioid-based and psychotropic medication. Future research should test factors that can reduce inappropriate and appropriate use and prescription of opioid-based and psychotropic medication among economically disadvantaged African-American older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Bazargan
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (M.B.); (C.W.)
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Sharon Cobb
- School of Nursing, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA;
| | - Cheryl Wisseh
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (M.B.); (C.W.)
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, West Coast University School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA 90004, USA
| | - Shervin Assari
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA; (M.B.); (C.W.)
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Meints SM, Cortes A, Morais CA, Edwards RR. Racial and ethnic differences in the experience and treatment of noncancer pain. Pain Manag 2019; 9:317-334. [PMID: 31140916 PMCID: PMC6587104 DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2018-0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The burden of pain is unequal across racial and ethnic groups. In addition to racial and ethnic differences in the experience of pain, there are racial and ethnic disparities in the assessment and treatment of pain. In this article, we provide a nonexhaustive review of the biopsychosocial mechanistic factors contributing to racial and ethnic differences in both the experience and treatment of pain. Using a modified version of the Socioecological Model, we focus on patient-, provider- and system-level factors including coping, perceived bias and discrimination, patient preferences, expectations, patient/provider communication, treatment outcomes and healthcare access. In conclusion, we provide psychosocial factors influencing racial and ethnic differences in pain and highlight future research targets and possible solutions to reduce these disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Meints
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management Center, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
- Orthopaedic and Arthritis Center for Outcomes Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alejandro Cortes
- Orthopaedic and Arthritis Center for Outcomes Research, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Calia A Morais
- Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Robert R Edwards
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Management Center, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA
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Graves RL, Goldshear J, Perrone J, Ungar L, Klinger E, Meisel ZF, Merchant RM. Patient narratives in Yelp reviews offer insight into opioid experiences and the challenges of pain management. Pain Manag 2018; 8:95-104. [DOI: 10.2217/pmt-2017-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To characterize Yelp reviews about pain management and opioids. Methods: We manually coded and applied natural language processing to 836 Yelp reviews of US hospitals mentioning an opioid medication. Results: Yelp reviews by patients and caregivers describing experiences with pain management and opioids had lower ratings compared with other reviews. Negative descriptions of pain management and opioid-related experiences were more commonly described than positive experiences, and the number of themes they reflected was more diverse. Conclusion: Yelp reviews offer insights into pain management and opioid use that are not assessed by traditional surveys. As a free, highly utilized source of unstructured narratives, Yelp may allow ongoing assessment of policies related to pain management and opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Graves
- Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive Room 407, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jesse Goldshear
- Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jeanmarie Perrone
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive Room 407, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lyle Ungar
- Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Computer & Information Science, University of Pennsylvania, Levine Hall, 3330 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Elissa Klinger
- Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zachary F Meisel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive Room 407, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Raina M Merchant
- Penn Medicine Center for Digital Health, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive Room 407, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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