Andrew Collins

All Publications

• Unequal burden: chronic pain disparities in sexual and gender minority adolescents. Pain Harrison, L. E., Berger, A. S., Hess, C. W., Ma, R. S., Simons, L. E., Wicksell, R. K., Friedman, E., Borucki, A., Collins, A., Goodin, B. R. 2025

  Abstract

  Sexual and gender minoritized youth (SGMY) face unique psychosocial stressors that may contribute to mental and physical health disparities. A recent socioecological-biopsychosocial model suggests that minority stress disrupts psychological and physiological processes, increasing vulnerability to chronic pain in these youth. However, little is known about how chronic pain manifests in SGMY. This study utilized secondary analysis of cross-sectional data and examined sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) in youth with chronic pain, comparing pain-related outcomes (psychological and physical functioning) between SGMY and cisgender, heterosexual youth (CHY). In addition, we evaluated the indirect effects of psychological distress on pain-related outcomes. Participants included 382 youth (Mage = 15.41). Sexual and gender minoritized youth (25.4%) were identified using the current best-practice assessment of SOGI. Sexual and gender minoritized youth reported significantly greater pain interference, mobility impairment, fatigue, and sleep impairment compared with CHY (all P < 0.01), despite no differences in pain severity or duration. Analyses of indirect effects revealed that psychological distress (ie, symptoms of depression and anxiety) may partially account for group differences, with the strongest contribution observed for pain interference. However, differences in physical functioning remained even after accounting for distress, suggesting additional factors (eg, minority stress) may contribute to disparities. These findings underscore the importance of routine, inclusive assessment of SOGI and highlight the disproportionate functional burden of pain in SGMY. Understanding the physiological and psychological impact of minority stress is needed to inform inclusive, affirming pain care and advocate for systemic change to reduce disparities in pediatric chronic pain.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003874

  View details for PubMedID 41380095

• Efficacy of aprepitant for refractory pruritus in patients with epidermolysis bullosa and atopic dermatitis: A retrospective study PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY Hartzell, C. J., Szabova, A., Collins, A. B., Morel, A. N., Mijatovic, D., Goldschneider, K. R. 2024

  Abstract

  At a single-center pediatric hospital, the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant was used to treat refractory pruritus in epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and atopic dermatitis (AD).Thirty-seven patients were included (24 EB patients, 13 AD patients), ages 10 months to 37 years.58% (14/24) of patients with EB and 85% (11/13) of patients with AD reported aprepitant was effective in decreasing their pruritus, with age-related differences in efficacy observed in EB patients, and access to the medication by insurance denial or availability of the drug as a barrier to use.Aprepitant shows promise in controlling refractory pruritus in pediatric EB and AD patients and deserves further study.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/pde.15704

  View details for Web of Science ID 001275953500001

  View details for PubMedID 39049669