Impacts of Chronic Pain Management on Quality of Life in Black Patients

Purpose

The burden of chronic pain continues to present a dichotomy of immeasurable and measurable impacts on functional status and quality of life. Racial disparities in the recognition and management of chronic pain have been widely demonstrated in literature. On average, black patients with chronic pain present with higher pain scores than white patients, though they are less likely to be prescribed opioids, fill opioid prescriptions, and take opioids when prescriptions are filled. A large retrospective cohort study found that white patients had a higher volume of opioid prescriptions written, while also having a greater risk of opioid use disorder, relative to racial/ethnic minority patients. Additionally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often used to treat chronic pain, are often contraindicated in black patients.

Methods

We performed a single-center, cross-sectional study of patients who experience chronic pain and have been prescribed opioids for at least 90 days. Patients were asked a series of questions related to their chronic pain and asked to compare their lived experiences before management with opioids to after management with opioids.

Results

Data suggest there was an overall improvement in quality of life amongst all patients. However, greater improvement in quality of life, based on composite scores, was noted in black patients compared to white patients who were prescribed opioids.

Conclusion

With the recent increased focus and attention on mental health in minority communities, more research is needed to determine the impact of untreated or undertreated chronic pain on depression, anxiety and overall quality of life in minority patients.