About this trial
The purpose of this research study is to gain a better understanding of how people's racial background and socioeconomic status (e.g., income, education, and employment) impact their experiences of chronic low back pain (cLBP).
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
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
Disqualifiers
Participants report ethnic group as non-Hispanic and racial group as either Black/African American or White/Caucasian.
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.
Trial population
For this study we will incorporate a combination of clinic-based and community-based participant recruitment. Participants will be recruited from the Pain Treatment Clinics at the Wash U Pain Center and VUMC, as well as the surrounding communities in St. Louis and Nashville, respectively.
Trial design
Case-control
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Not listed
Trial groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
To elucidate racial group disparities in clinical symptoms among NHBs and NHWs with cLBP.
Clinical pain severity will be observed through quantitative sensory testing and self-reported questionnaires and surveys.
To elucidate racial group disparities in experimental pain sensitivity among NHBs and NHWs with cLBP.
Quantitative sensory testing equipment and biological markers assayed via blood samples.
To elucidate racial group disparities in psychosocial risk factors, among NHBs and NHWs with cLBP.
Psychosocial risk factors that will be observed will be greater increases in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and perceived stress, as well as greater social isolation and loneliness through the use of self-reported questionnaires and surveys.
Sponsors and contacts
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Washington University School of Medicine
Lead sponsor
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Collaborator