Patterns and Correlates of Self‐Management Strategies for Osteoarthritis‐Related Pain Among Older Non‐Hispanic Black and Non‐Hispanic White Adults

Abstract

Objective Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading source of pain and disability among older adults. Self‐management (SM) strategies are recommended to manage OA symptoms. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, along with other factors, may influence SM utilization rate. This study sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of SM use for pain among non‐Hispanic Black patients (NHB) and non‐Hispanic White patients (NHW) older adults with or at risk for knee OA. Methods A secondary data analysis was conducted on the Understanding Pain and Limitations in Osteoarthritic Disease multisite observational study, which included NHB (n = 104) and NHW (n = 98) community‐dwelling older adults with or at risk for knee OA. Participants completed measures of sociodemographics, pain SM use, coping, and clinical and experimental pain. Results Clinical and experimental pain were significantly greater among NHBs compared to NHWs. There were no significant differences in use of total SM by ethnicity/race. Interestingly, multiple linear regression revealed that clinical and experimental pain indices, as well as coping, number of pain sites, age, and sex were differentially associated with total SM use between NHBs and NHWs. There were significant ethnicity/race by type of pain management interaction effects for pain measures. Conclusion SM is common among older adults with or at risk for knee OA pain, and the prevalence of SM does not differ by ethnicity/race, but many guideline‐recommended interventions for OA are underutilized. Importantly, different factors were associated with the use of SM, highlighting distinct biopsychosocial mechanisms contributing to SM use in NHBs and NHWs.

A Secondary Analysis: Comparison of Experimental Pain and Psychological Impact in Individuals with Carpometacarpal and Knee Osteoarthritis

“…These cohorts were merged and analyzed together for the purposes of this study given similarities in inclusion/exclusion criteria, recruitment methods, and study procedures. 17,36 Briefly, participants in both studies provided informed consent and completed a series of questionnaires that assessed demographics, functional factors, and psychosocial characteristics. In addition, participants attended a quantitative sensory session (QST) undergoing thermal, mechanical, and temporal summation of pain assessments.…”

Current status and influencing factors of self-management in knee joint discomfort among middle-aged and elderly people: a cross-sectional study

“…Overall, research on self-management behaviors for knee symptoms is limited. There are indications that sociodemographic factors (e.g., ethnicity/race, gender, age, education) are associated with the decision to use self-management strategies [ 14 ]. It is still unclear which demographic characteristics of patients with knee discomfort affect their self-management behaviors.…”