Racial differences in social network experience and perceptions of benefit of arthritis treatments among New York City Medicare beneficiaries with self-reported hip and knee pain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether social network experience and perceptions of benefit of arthritis treatments influence the decision to seek diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS: A population-based telephone survey of 515 black and 455 white Medicare beneficiaries was conducted. Validated questionnaires adapted for use in a telephone interview were used to identify people with self-reported symptoms of hip or knee pain. Treatment history for arthritis-related pain and perceptions of benefit of treatment were also assessed.
RESULTS: Forty-two percent of blacks and 31% of whites reported hip or knee pain. Forty-two percent of blacks and 65% of whites reported knowing someone who had surgery for hip or knee pain (P < 0.0001). Blacks were less likely than whites to report that surgery had helped someone they knew with hip or knee pain (not significant).
CONCLUSION: Blacks know fewer people who have had surgical treatment of hip and knee pain than whites and appear to be less likely to perceive that such treatment is beneficial.