Examining Racial and Socioeconomic Differences in Chronic Low Back Pain (ERASED)

Racial and Socioeconomic Differences in Chronic Low Back Pain

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).

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Chronic Pain

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 240

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Burel R Goodin, PhD; Phone Number: 314-273-6403; Email: burel@wustl.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • Missouri
    • St. Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110
      • Recruiting
      • Washington University School of Medicine
      • Contact: Burel R Goodin, PhD; Phone Number: 314-273-6403; Email: burel@wustl.edu
      • Principal Investigator: Burel R Goodin, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• 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.

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Washington University School of Medicine
• Collaborators: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Burel Goodin, PhD, Washington University School of Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 22, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 31, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 7, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): August 14, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 10, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2025
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: lower back pain; Race; Socioeconomic
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Back Pain; Chronic Pain; Low Back Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: 202306132; R01MD017565 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No