Characterizing Alcohol Use and Expectancies for Alcohol Analgesia Among Breast Cancer Survivors With Arthralgia
Jessica M. Powers, Lisa R. LaRowe, Tamara J. Somers, Judith A. Paice, Francis J. Keefe, Rebecca A. Shelby, Betina Yanez, Gretchen G. Kimmick, Christine RiniABSTRACT
Background
Expectancies for alcohol analgesia (EAA; beliefs that alcohol use can reduce pain) are linked to heavier drinking in chronic non‐cancer pain; however, no studies have examined EAA in those with cancer‐related pain.
Aims
These secondary analyses examined cross‐sectional associations among EAA, alcohol use, and pain among breast cancer survivors with persistent pain due to aromatase inhibitors (AIs; arthralgia).
Methods
Data were from 213 female breast cancer survivors with AI‐associated arthralgia (M age = 58.9, 77.5% White) who completed baseline assessment in a behavioral pain intervention trial. Alcohol consumption and alcohol use severity were assessed via the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Linear/logistic regressions were conducted covarying for depression, anxiety, age, race, and pain severity.
Results
EAA scores were related to greater likelihood of current drinking ( AOR = 6.02, p = 0.003). Among participants who reported current alcohol use ( n = 153), EAA scores were associated with greater alcohol consumption and alcohol use severity ( p s < 0.001). Probing of a significant pain severity x EAA interaction ( p = 0.015) indicated that EAA scores were more strongly associated with alcohol use severity among participants with less (vs. more) severe pain.
Conclusions
In breast cancer survivors with AI‐associated arthralgia, EAA are related to greater likelihood of drinking and heavier/more problematic alcohol use, which may reduce efficacy of AIs while increasing risk for side effects. EAA scores were more strongly associated with drinking in women with less severe pain.