Disparities in Prescription of Opioids Among Prostate Cancer Patients of Various Racial Groups

Abstract

Aim: To examine disparities in opioid prescription between different races of prostate cancer patients. Materials & methods: We used the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2013–2015) and developed a model based on covariates that may affect opioid prescription and based on this model, we carried out logistic regression, where our outcome of interest was prescription of at least one opioid among prostate cancer patients. Results: Compared with non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics had 0.490 (0.214–1.123), non-Hispanics blacks had 0.745 (0.429–1.293) and other ethnic groups had 2.550 (0.947–6.863) times the odds of receiving opioids than non-Hispanic whites. These differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: There were no differences between races in terms of opioid prescription for patients with prostate cancer.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Opioid Prescriptions in Benign and Malignant Pancreatic Disease in the United States

“…35 It is possible that providers perceive patients as overstating their pain, but this perception is tempered by a life-threatening diagnosis such as cancer. 21 Our study found no difference in opioid prescriptions between visits by male and female patients with pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. This finding is inconsistent with overall trends toward higher rates of opioid prescriptions for adult female patients compared with male patients in the United States.…”

“…A 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-based study similarly concluded that there were no significant differences in opioid prescriptions between Hispanic and non-Hispanic prostate cancer patients. 21 Another study of breast cancer patients found no disparity in opioid prescriptions for Blacks and Whites; however, as the authors note, this finding does not imply that they have their analgesic needs equally met. 22 There are several possible reasons for disparities in opioid prescriptions between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients with benign disease that seem to dissipate in malignant disease.…”

“…Our results suggest that racial-ethnic disparities in opioid prescriptions did not persist in pancreatic cancer patients. A 2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey–based study similarly concluded that there were no significant differences in opioid prescriptions between Hispanic and non-Hispanic prostate cancer patients 21 . Another study of breast cancer patients found no disparity in opioid prescriptions for Blacks and Whites; however, as the authors note, this finding does not imply that they have their analgesic needs equally met 22 …”

“…In contrast, physicians feel more comfortable prescribing opioids to patients with terminal cancer than nonmalignant pain 35 . It is possible that providers perceive patients as overstating their pain, but this perception is tempered by a life-threatening diagnosis such as cancer 21 …”