Sex, gender, and sociodemographic factors associated with repeated prescription refills in chronic pain: insights from a prescription claims cohort study

Purpose: Chronic pain (CP) disproportionately affects women and gender-diverse individuals, raising questions about how sociodemographic factors influence medication use. Yet, the interplay between sex, gender, and prescribed medication use in CP remains poorly understood, limiting optimization, safety, and equity of care. We examined how sex and gender are associated with repeated prescription refills of pain medications among individuals with CP. Methods: = 561). Repeated prescription refills of medications prescribed for CP and related comorbidities in the year following questionnaire completion were analyzed (≥40% days covered; yes/no; sensitivity analyses were performed using alternative cut-offs). Main independent variables were sex, gender identity, and gender-stereotyped personality traits (Bem Sex-Role Inventory). Cluster analysis was used to create intersecting sociodemographic subgroups (incorporating sex, gender, and other sociodemographic factors). Multivariable logistic regression was achieved to examine associations between these subgroups and repeated prescription refills. Results: '). Conclusion: Our results highlight how sex, gender, and intersecting sociodemographic factors are associated with repeated prescription refills, particularly opioids and antidepressants, among individuals living with CP.