FRIDAY, June 3, 2005 (HealthDay News) -- Twenty percent of Americans who suffer chronic pain have never seen a doctor about their discomfort and only 5 percent have consulted a pain specialist, according to a study that also identified racial disparities in access to pain care.
The survey of 1,300 people found that Hispanics are less likely than blacks or whites to be treated for chronic pain. Among the three racial groups, chronic pain was reported by 39 percent of blacks, 35 percent of whites and 28 percent of Hispanics.
"The remarkable finding that about one-third of the Caucasians, African Americans and Hispanics who were initially contacted for the study reported persistent pain for at least three months during the past year confirms the magnitude of pain as a national public health problem," study lead author Dr. Russell Portenoy, chairman of pain medicine and palliative care at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, said in a prepared statement.
Chronic pain afflicts about 50 million people in the United States, according to the American Pain Foundation.
This survey found that Hispanics were less likely (70 percent) to consult a doctor about pain than whites (84 percent) or blacks (85 percent). Hispanics were also more likely to treat their pain without the help of a medical professional.
Hispanics were less likely to have health insurance (62 percent) than blacks (78 percent) or whites (84 percent). When asked whether financial concerns ever prevented them from seeking treatment for pain, 47 percent of Hispanics said that was the case, compared to 34 percent of blacks and 32 percent of whites.
Both Hispanics and blacks (15 percent) were more likely than whites (9 percent) to report that they felt discriminated against in their efforts to obtain treatment for pain. This feeling was highest among low-income black males (27 percent).
The study was published in the May issue of the Journal of Pain.
"While pain does not discriminate, it seems access to appropriate treatment does," Ivonne Fuller from the Office of Health Policy, Research and Professional Medical Affairs at the National Medical Association, said in a prepared statement.
"By identifying factors that can limit access to pain care, studies such as this one help demonstrate the need for improved education and healthcare services for minorities in pain," Fuller sadded.
More information
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has more about chronic pain.
