Household Income Is Associated with Chronic Pain and High-Impact Chronic Pain among Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study Using NHIS Data.

Simple Summary: Pain is a common symptom that affects individuals with cancer. This study, using data from the National Health Interview Survey, explored how household income relates to chronic pain among cancer survivors. It found that lower-income survivors, those below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), were more likely to report chronic pain lasting at least 3 months and pain that significantly limited their daily activities. Compared to higher-income survivors (at least 400% FPL), those with lower incomes had higher odds of experiencing chronic pain and its impact on daily life. Additionally, opioid use for pain management was more common among lower-income survivors, while higher-income survivors tended to use alternative methods like yoga, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. This study emphasizes the need for targeted efforts to address healthcare disparities and improve pain management for all cancer survivors, regardless of their income level. Pain is a prevalent issue among cancer patients, yet its link with socioeconomic status has not been thoroughly examined. This study investigated chronic pain (lasting ≥3 months) and high-impact pain (chronic pain limiting activities) among cancer survivors based on household income relative to the federal poverty level (FPL), using data from the National Health Interview Survey (2019–2020). Of the 4585 participants with a history of solid cancers, 1649 (36.3%) reported chronic pain and 554 (12.6%) reported high-impact chronic pain. After adjustment, participants with incomes < 200% FPL had significantly higher odds of chronic pain (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.25–2.05) and high-impact chronic pain (aOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.09–2.74) compared to those with incomes ≥ 400% FPL. Opioid use for chronic pain was most prevalent among those with incomes < 200% FPL (28.3%) compared to those with 200–399% (21.3%) and ≥400% (19.0%). Higher-income participants reported greater use of alternative pain management methods such as yoga (50.5%), chiropractic care (44.8%), and physical therapy (44.3%). This study highlights the association between household income and chronic pain outcomes among cancer survivors, emphasizing the necessity for targeted interventions to mitigate healthcare access disparities and improve pain management for all individuals affected by cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]