# The Spine Phenome Project: Enhancing Patient Diversity

> **NIH NIH UH3** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $512,222

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Chronic Low Back Pain (cLBP) is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people globally. Despite
increased utilization of interventions and rising medical costs, cLBP prevalence has continued to increase. This
problem arises because cLBP is complex, heterogeneous and current diagnostics and treatments rely primarily
on subjective metrics and do not target all the multidimensional biopsychosocial mechanisms associated with
cLBP. To address this problem, we have a NIH Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) grant to conduct a
longitudinal research study to identify unique cLBP phenotypes and inform personalized medicine to improve
patient outcomes. In addition, we are also collaborating in a multi-site NIH BACPAC BEST (Biomarkers for
Evaluating Spine Treatments) Trial to inform precision medicine approach for the treatment of cLBP patients. A
total of 480 cLBP patients are anticipated to be enrolled over a 3-year period between these two studies.
However, in order to ensure that our study findings are generalizable and meaningful to all individuals with
cLBP, our patient population needs to be diverse, inclusive and representative. It is well documented that
minority groups in general are underrepresented in clinical studies. It is therefore critical and important to
enhance patient diversity and inclusion in our efforts particularly in relation to the fact that social determinants
to health are known to differentially impact cLBP outcomes. Furthermore, enhancing patient diversity is not
only a scientific imperative but also a moral one, as it will help reduce health disparities and improve health
equity for the treatment of cLBP in our society. Collectively, the proposed effort helps ensure that our findings
are derived from a diverse and representative data sets and has the potential to shift clinical practice
paradigms, improve patient outcomes, enhance care efficiency, and reduce costs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10616220
- **Project number:** 3UH3AR076729-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Safdar N. Khan
- **Activity code:** UH3 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $512,222
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-09-26 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10616220

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10616220, The Spine Phenome Project: Enhancing Patient Diversity (3UH3AR076729-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10616220. Licensed CC0.

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