This study aimed to assess self-reported pain levels during MRI and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion-guided prostate biopsy (PBx) across a racially and ethnically diverse patient population. Conducted on 419 patients who underwent either transperineal (TP) or transrectal (TR) biopsy, the study collected data on race and ethnicity following NIH guidelines, categorizing patients as Hispanic/Latino, non-Hispanic Asian, non-Hispanic Black or African American, non-Hispanic White, and Other. Socioeconomic status (SES) was evaluated using the Distressed Community Index (DCI), where higher scores indicate greater economic distress. All patients underwent MRI with subsequent TP or TR systematic PBx, sampling 12-14 cores, and additional target biopsies for any PIRADS ≥3 findings. Pain levels were assessed immediately after the procedure using a visual analog scale (0-10).
Of the patients, 77% underwent TP and 23% underwent TR biopsy. Racial/ethnic composition was diverse, with 14% Asian, 5% Black, 17% Latino, 12% Other, and 53% White. Notably, socioeconomic disparities were observed: 20% of Black and 27% of Latino patients fell into the most distressed SES category (DCI 80-100), compared to only 4% of Asians, 9% of Other, and 5% of White patients. Pain scores showed a significant difference, with Black patients reporting a median pain level of 5, and Latino patients reporting 4, compared to lower scores in Asian (3), Other (3), and White (3) groups. Independent predictors of pain included Black or Latino ethnicity, age, and the number of lesions identified on MRI, while biopsy approach (TP or TR) and DCI score did not impact pain levels.
These findings suggest that Black and Latino patients may experience higher levels of pain during MRI/TRUS fusion-guided PBx under local anesthesia, independent of socioeconomic status.
