Recommended Citation
Guerra Branger A, Knezevic N, Siddiqui A, Diaz Morales S. Ethnic disparities in the management of chronic non-cancer pain. Presented at: Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference (MARC); April 26, 2025; Indianapolis, IN.
Presentation Notes
Presented at: Midwest Anesthesia Residents Conference (MARC); April 26, 2025; Indianapolis, IN.
Abstract
Introduction: Recent studies indicate a disparity in chronic pain management across different racial groups, particularly among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Additional findings highlight variations in pain prevalence and the response to both acute and chronic pain withing these groups. This study explores the demographic and clinical factors influencing pain management across various racial populations. Methods: We followed 1,662 patients in the greater Chicago area, who sought treatment for a variety of chronic pain conditions, for one year at minimum and had at least four different clinic appointments. Patients were stratified based on race, where they identified as White-non Hispanic, White-Hispanic, or Black. Analyses were performed to determine variations in pain intensity, duration, type of pain and treatment methods. IBM SPSS 27 was used to perform statistical analysis and the data was analyzed using independent t-tests, frequency tables, and crosstabs with χ2 analysis. Differences were considered significant with a p-value of p<0.05; incomplete data was excluded from analyses. Results: From the 1,662 participants in this study, 47.8% identified as White-Non Hispanic, 32.6% as White-Hispanic and 19.6% as Black. Our findings revealed significant differences in mean age and BMI across all groups, where the Black population showed a higher average age and BMI (p=0.12 and p<0.001, respectively). Low Back Pain was the most common reported ailment across all groups, especially among Black patients (70.6%, p=0.005). Steroid injections were the most common treatment method for all ethnicities, particularly among the Black patients (p<0.001). However, after that, we found notable variations. White-Hispanic and Black patients were more likely to be prescribed gabapentin, while opioids were prescribed at higher rates to White Non-Hispanics and Black patients. White Non-Hispanic patients also had the highest rates of benzodiazepine prescriptions. The other treatment modalities, including NSAIDs, muscle relaxants and tricyclic antidepressants, revealed fluctuating usage patterns across our patient population. Conclusion: Due to its subjective nature, pain can be challenging to assess. Evaluating and managing pain requires clear and effective communication between patients and healthcare providers. Our findings reveal inconsistencies in pain management approaches and outcomes among different racial and ethnic groups, emphasizing the need for personalized pain management strategies to address these differences. It is crucial to explore effective methods for overcoming these challenges to implement appropriate techniques, ensuring all patients receive adequate and equitable healthcare. 1. Overstreet, D.S., et al. (2023) Curr Pain Headache Rep 27, 1–10. 2. Rahavard, B. B., et al. (2017) Pain Management, 7(5), 427–453.
Type
Poster
Affiliations
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center