Rural-urban differences in pain intensity, pain interference, and physical function among cancer survivors

Abstract

Rural cancer survivors may face structural barriers to symptom management and rehabilitation, yet rural-urban differences in pain and physical function remain understudied. This secondary analysis examined rural-urban differences in pain intensity, pain interference, and physical function among 232 adults receiving care at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Oklahoma. Rural-urban residence was classified using 2020 Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes based on residential ZIP code. Outcomes were assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29. Multivariable linear regression and mixed-effects models examined baseline and longitudinal associations, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Among participants, 92 (39.7%) were rural and 140 (60.3%) were urban. Compared with urban participants, rural participants reported higher baseline pain intensity (4.3 vs 3.2; p = 0.003), higher pain interference (57.3 vs 53.6; p = 0.011), and lower physical function (41.8 vs 44.4; p = 0.034). In longitudinal models, rural residence remained associated with higher pain intensity (β = 0.99; p = 0.006), higher pain interference (β = 3.45; p = 0.018), and lower physical function (β = -2.51; p = 0.048). Findings support targeted pain management, rehabilitation, and virtual care strategies for rural cancer survivors.

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Cite

BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@misc{kumar2026ruralurban,
  title = {{Rural-urban differences in pain intensity, pain interference, and physical function among cancer survivors}},
  author = {Gaurav Kumar and Motolani E. Ogunsanya and Amy M. Cohn and Deeksha Gupta and Nathalia M. Machado and Brittany L. Hudson and Munjireen Sifat and Christina Henson and Susanna Ulahannan and Darla E. Kendzor},
  howpublished = {Research Square},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.21203/rs.3.rs-10832930/v1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-10832930/v1},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}

RIS

TY  - UNPB
TI  - Rural-urban differences in pain intensity, pain interference, and physical function among cancer survivors
AU  - Gaurav Kumar
AU  - Motolani E. Ogunsanya
AU  - Amy M. Cohn
AU  - Deeksha Gupta
AU  - Nathalia M. Machado
AU  - Brittany L. Hudson
AU  - Munjireen Sifat
AU  - Christina Henson
AU  - Susanna Ulahannan
AU  - Darla E. Kendzor
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/14
PB  - Research Square
DO  - 10.21203/rs.3.rs-10832930/v1
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-10832930/v1
AB  - Rural cancer survivors may face structural barriers to symptom management and rehabilitation, yet rural-urban differences in pain and physical function remain understudied. This secondary analysis examined rural-urban differences in pain intensity, pain interference, and physical function among 232 adults receiving care at a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Oklahoma. Rural-urban residence was classified using 2020 Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes based on residential ZIP code. Outcomes were assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29. Multivariable linear regression and mixed-effects models examined baseline and longitudinal associations, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Among participants, 92 (39.7%) were rural and 140 (60.3%) were urban. Compared with urban participants, rural participants reported higher baseline pain intensity (4.3 vs 3.2; p = 0.003), higher pain interference (57.3 vs 53.6; p = 0.011), and lower physical function (41.8 vs 44.4; p = 0.034). In longitudinal models, rural residence remained associated with higher pain intensity (β = 0.99; p = 0.006), higher pain interference (β = 3.45; p = 0.018), and lower physical function (β = -2.51; p = 0.048). Findings support targeted pain management, rehabilitation, and virtual care strategies for rural cancer survivors.
SN  - 2693-5015
ER  -

Abstract

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