Chronic pain, cardiovascular health and related medication use in ageing African Americans with osteoarthritis

Aim and objectives To describe the (a) prevalence and perceptions of cardiovascular disease and related health conditions in African Americans with osteoarthritis pain, (b) their knowledge of cardiovascular safety of commonly prescribed analgesics for osteoarthritis and (c) frequency of high‐risk analgesic use. Background African Americans have more disabling osteoarthritis pain and an excessive burden of cardiovascular disease than any other US racial group. However, minimal research has investigated the relationship between chronic pain and cardiovascular disease and subsequent medication knowledge and use in African Americans. Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative and Srengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology checklists were followed. Design A descriptive, secondary mixed‐methods analysis. Methods A convenience sample of 110 African American adults (50–94 years and older) completed surveys and individual qualitative interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi‐square or Fisher's exact test, t test, Mann–Whitney U and a qualitative content analysis. Results Hypertension was the most common cardiovascular condition reported, and African Americans with hypertension reported greater pain than those without. The survey questions revealed that most participants did not possess accurate knowledge about the appropriateness of analgesics in heart failure and other cardiovascular‐related diseases; however, during the interviews, some did acknowledge a general understanding of the negative effects of some medications. Still, many older adults were taking nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs despite having hypertension. Conclusions There was evidence of multimorbidity in our sample; based on our data, chronic osteoarthritis pain and hypertension are two highly comorbid conditions, suggesting a possible syndemic. More disparate is the lack of knowledge that African Americans possess as it relates to safe use of analgesic medications when cardiovascular disease is present. Relevance to clinical practice Chronic pain and cardiovascular‐related diseases are common and often co‐occur and should be evaluated in all older adults, particularly African Americans. Both issues are important to manage, including the safe and appropriate use of medications, to prevent adverse effects.