Standardising socio-demographic data collection in pain research: Introducing consensus recommendations for a minimum dataset
Date
2026
Authors
Karran, E.L.
Cashin, A.G.
Chiarotto, A.
Sharma, S.
Barker, T.
Boyd, M.A.
Maxwell, L.J.
Mohabir, V.
Petkovic, J.
Tugwell, P.
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Advisors
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Journal article
Citation
Journal of Pain, 2026; 39:105645-1-105645-5
Statement of Responsibility
Emma L. Karran, Aidan G. Cashin, Alessandro Chiarotto, Saurab Sharma, Trevor Barker, Mark A. Boyd, Lara J. Maxwell, Vina Mohabir, Jennifer Petkovic, Peter Tugwell, G. Lorimer Moseley
Conference Name
Abstract
The ‘ISSHOOs (Identifying Social factors that Stratify Health Opportunities and Outcomes) in pain research’ project has developed consensus-derived recommendations to address the inadequacy and inconsistency of sociodemographic data collection and reporting in human adult pain research. The recently published recommendations offer a highly useful, globally relevant and adaptable resource that operationalises the collection of a minimum dataset of important equity-relevant information. In this Commentary we provide a brief overview of the ISSHOOs project and the resulting recommendations – comprising Set A: the ‘minimum dataset’ and Set B: an extended dataset of optional (equity-relevant) items; and we draw attention to a separate ‘explanation and elaboration’ manuscript. We discuss the implications of routine adoption of the ISSHOOs recommendations, including limitations, implementation considerations, and the potential for both benefits and harms to be associated with their use. The overarching goal of the ISSHOOs Collaboration is to prompt a small but widespread shift in research practice that promotes research transparency, integrity and value and advances health equity for people with pain.
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© 2025 Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of United States Association for the Study of Pain, Inc All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.