'Identifying Social Factors that Stratify Health Opportunities and Outcomes (ISSHOOs) in Pain Research': Explanation and elaboration to support the standardised reporting of equity-relevant data

Background and Objectives The “ISSHOOs (Identifying Social factors that Stratify Health Opportunities and Outcomes) in pain research” project endeavored to address the paucity and inconsistency of equity-relevant, sociodemographic data collection and reporting in human adult pain research. The resulting “ISSHOOs Recommendations” provide a data collection tool that has practical utility and is globally and cross-culturally relevant, adaptable, and freely accessible. Methods This explanation and elaboration manuscript is a companion to the ISSHOOs Recommendations. It aims to elaborate on the published recommendations and provide practical guidance to broaden understanding and facilitate use. Results We provide item-specific information relevant to each of the eight items in Set A (the minimum dataset), including relevant background, rationale, and guidance for item tailoring to suit specific populations and contexts. We discuss the selection of a sub-set of relevant items from Set B (the extended, optional dataset) and suggest how the ISSHOOs data have the potential to complement efforts to address equity concerns in analyses, interpretation, and reporting. Conclusion It is timely and important to improve and standardize the reporting of equity-relevant, sociodemographic data in pain research. The ISSHOOs recommendations, supported by this manuscript, have the potential to promote equity-relevant awareness and understanding and advance progress toward reducing health inequities for people with pain.