SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Disparities in Numeric Pain Values and Opioid Administration in Adults

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This retrospective cohort study examined more than 2 million numeric pain assessments from 61,576 adult hospital medicine patients at a single academic hospital between 2013 and 2021. The goal was to assess whether pain scores and opioid administration differed by race/ethnicity and limited English proficiency (LEP).<br /><br />Using multivariable regression adjusted for demographic, clinical, and hospitalization-related factors, the study found clear disparities in pain assessment and treatment. Asian, Latino, and LEP patients were more likely to report a pain score of “0” than White or English-speaking patients. In adjusted analyses, Asian, Latino, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and Other/Unknown patients had lower mean pain scores than White patients, and LEP patients had lower pain scores than English-speaking patients. In terms of opioid treatment, Asian and Multiracial patients received fewer morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) than White patients, while no significant opioid differences were seen by language status.<br /><br />Overall, the findings suggest that certain vulnerable patient groups may systematically report lower numeric pain scores, which may contribute to undertreatment of pain. The authors plan to further examine provider-level variation, repeated pain measurements, and patient, caregiver, and clinician perspectives to better understand the mechanisms behind these inequities and to inform more equitable pain management guidelines.

Asset Subtitle

Aksharananda Rambachan

Meta Tag

Author List Aksharananda Rambachan, Margaret C. Fang, Marilyn Bazinski, Priya A. Prasad

Category Research

Concept Pain Score

Concept Opioid Administration

Concept Race and Ethnicity

Concept Language Proficiency

Concept Pain Undertreatment

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Ucsf

Presenting Author Aksharananda Rambachan

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

retrospective cohort study

pain assessment

opioid administration

racial disparities

ethnic disparities

limited English proficiency

hospital medicine patients

numeric pain scores

morphine milligram equivalents

equitable pain management

Pain Score

Opioid Administration

Race and Ethnicity

Language Proficiency

Pain Undertreatment