The Impact of Racial and Low Socioeconomic Status on the Implementation of Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain in the United States.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to review the societal, economic, and racial factors that impact the usage of spinal cord stimulation for chronic pain. Our working hypothesis is that patients of ethnic minority groups or of lower socioeconomic status (SES) status may have lower implantation rates and usage of spinal cord stimulation (SCS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study sourced publications from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library on December 21st, 2023 for SCS for the purposes of pain management. Articles were excluded from the review if the study was not USA based, did not involve SCS for the purpose of pain or did not allow for the subgroup analysis. There were 1028 reports that resulted after the initial search with 184 duplicates which were removed. Six reports met the inclusion and exclusionary criteria and were included in the review.

RESULTS

Several trends were able to be extrapolated from the pooled reviews. Orhurhu et al. found that Black and Hispanic minorities had a higher utilization rate of SCSs than their White and Asian counterparts in the inpatient setting. Jones and Missios et al. found that in the outpatient setting, White and privately insured patients were more likely to utilize SCS. Ovrom et al. observed an increased cost associated with Hispanic ethnicity and inpatient SCS utilization. Wondwossen et al. found that in the US military system White patients were more likely to receive SCS earlier in their care than Black patients. Labaran et al. concluded the Southern US completed more SCS implants, particularly in White patients with Medicare insurance.

CONCLUSIONS

White patients are recipients of SCS earlier and more frequently than minority patients in the outpatient setting. There is mixed evidence regarding inpatient SCS and how household income relates to SCS usage. Insurance type and coverage may be more accurately predictive than simple household income for SCS utilization.