SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Exploratory Analysis of Factors Associated With Achieving Pain Control in Acute Pancreatitis

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This retrospective cohort study examined whether certain patient characteristics were associated with differences in pain control during the first 24 hours of hospitalization for acute pancreatitis at Denver Health Medical Center (2017–2019). Among 659 eligible patients, researchers compared patient-reported pain control across age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, and substance use disorder (SUD).<br /><br />Overall, pain control was poor: 52% of patients did not achieve their functional pain goal within 24 hours. Mean pain scores also remained high, with an average initial score of 7 that did not improve by 24 hours in the uncontrolled group. Patients who did achieve control had a lower average initial pain score of 5, which decreased to 4.<br /><br />The main disparities were seen by age and SUD status. Younger patients had worse pain control: 61% of those aged 18–40 and 51% of those aged 41–64 reported uncontrolled pain, compared with 34% of patients aged 65 or older. Patients with SUD also had poorer outcomes, with 59% reporting uncontrolled pain versus 42% of those without SUD. These differences were statistically significant. No significant differences were found by sex, BMI, or race/ethnicity.<br /><br />The authors conclude that clinicians should be aware of possible pain control disparities in younger patients and those with SUD. They suggest that inadequate pain relief among patients with SUD may reflect undertreatment relative to opioid tolerance. The study also highlights the need for future research and quality improvement efforts to evaluate medication dosing, adjunctive therapies, titration practices, and possible psychological or cultural contributors to pain experience.

Asset Subtitle

Michelle Knees

Meta Tag

Author List Audrey Goold, Ellen Sarcone, Jonathan M. Mroch, Julie M. Knoeckel, Michelle Knees

Category Research

Concept Acute Pancreatitis

Concept Pain Control

Concept Controlled Pain

Concept Patient Characteristics

Concept Age

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine

Presenting Author Michelle Knees

Track Other

Keywords

acute pancreatitis

pain control

hospitalization

retrospective cohort study

substance use disorder

age disparities

pain management

patient-reported outcomes

opioid tolerance

Denver Health Medical Center

Acute Pancreatitis

Pain Control

Controlled Pain

Patient Characteristics

Age