Examining Racial and Socioeconomic Differences in Chronic Low Back Pain

Launched by WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · Aug 7, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking to understand how a person's race and economic background affect their experience with chronic low back pain (cLBP). Chronic low back pain is pain that lasts for three months or more and can significantly impact daily life. The researchers aim to identify any differences that might exist in how people from different backgrounds experience this type of pain.

To participate in the study, you need to be between 18 and 85 years old and have been experiencing low back pain for at least three months. You must identify as either Black/African American or White/Caucasian and not have any other major health conditions that could affect your back pain. If you join the study, you will help researchers learn more about these important differences, and your insights could lead to better treatments for everyone. The study is currently recruiting participants, and your involvement could make a difference in understanding chronic pain.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion:
• • Non-specific cLBP that has persisted for at least 3 months and has resulted in pain on at least half the days in the past 6 months.
• • Age 18 - 85; the lower end of this age range was chosen to capture the growing prevalence of young adults with cLBP, and participants over 85 years are increasingly likely to meet one or more exclusion criteria.
• • Participants report ethnic group as non-Hispanic and racial group as either Black/African American or White/Caucasian.
• Exclusion:
• • Low back pain that is attributable to other factors such as ankylosing spondylitis, infection, malignancy, compression fracture of other trauma.
• • Systemic rheumatic disease/condition (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia).
• • Any other chronic pain condition that the participant believes to be more prominent or severe than the low back pain.
• • A history of clinically significant surgery to the low back within the past year.
• • Uncontrolled hypertension (i.e. SBP/DBP of \> 150/95), cardiovascular or peripheral arterial disease.
• • Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c \> 8%).
• • Neurological disease (e.g. Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy).
• • Serious psychiatric disorder requiring hospitalization within the past 12 months or characterized by active suicidal ideation.
• • Diminished cognitive function that would interfere with understanding of study procedures.