Examining racial differences in pain medication prescriptions after hip and knee surgeries
Official title: Racial Disparities in Analgesic Prescribing for Post-Surgical Pain Management among Older Americans following Hip and Knee Replacement Surgeries
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11249331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into whether older Black Americans get less pain relief medication than White Americans after hip and knee surgeries, with the goal of finding ways to make sure everyone gets the care they need for pain management.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $12,882 |
| NIH project number | 7R21AG078552-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11249331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older Americans, particularly those who are Black, undergoing hip or knee replacement surgeries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing hip or knee replacement surgeries or who do not belong to the older demographic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates whether older Black Americans receive fewer pain medications, both opioid and non-opioid, compared to their White counterparts after undergoing hip and knee replacement surgeries. It aims to understand the prescribing practices of physicians and identify any disparities that may exist in post-surgical pain management. By analyzing data from these surgeries, the study seeks to highlight potential biases and improve pain management strategies for all patients. The findings could lead to recommendations for more equitable prescribing practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management for older Black Americans following joint replacement surgeries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated disparities in pain management practices, suggesting that this study could build on established findings to address these issues.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thirukumaran, Caroline Pinto — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Thirukumaran, Caroline Pinto
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.