Examining Racial and Socioeconomic Differences in Chronic Low Back Pain

NCT05991440 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 202306132R01MD017565
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 240
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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).

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Keywords

lower back pain; Race; Socioeconomic

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• 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.

  two years

• 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.

  two years

• 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.

  two years

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study 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.

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.
• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Washington University School of Medicine: lead
• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Washington University School of Medicine

St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

RECRUITING

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

Blood will be collected for analysis

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain; Low Back Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Back Pain

Study Officials

• Burel Goodin, PhD

  Washington University School of Medicine

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Burel R Goodin, PhD

CONTACT

314-273-6403; burel@wustl.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof of Anesthesiology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 31, 2023
• First Posted: August 14, 2023
• Study Start: April 22, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028
• Last Updated: July 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations

US (1)