Abstract 19212: Racial Differences in Clinical Outcomes and Resource Utilization Associated With Heart Failure Hospitalizations in the United States: A Nationwide Analysis From 2011-2012

Abstract

Background and objectives: Heart failure (HF) incidence is higher among Blacks compared to Whites. There is a paucity of recent data on racial differences in in-hospital mortality and resource utilization in a nationally representative, multiracial cohort of HF hospitalizations. Hypothesis: There are significant racial-ethnic differences in HF hospitalization outcomes. Methods: We used the 2011-2012 Nationwide/National Inpatient Sample to identify hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of HF using relevant ICD-9 codes. Outcomes of interest were in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS) and mean inflation adjusted charges. The effect of race on outcomes was ascertained using logistic or linear regression. Results: 375,740 primary HF hospitalizations representing 1.8 million hospitalizations nationwide were included. Mean age was 72.6 (SD 14.6) years and 50.1% were females. After adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, APR-DRG mortality risk and socioeconomic status, in-hospital mortality was significantly lower for Blacks (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.64 - 0.74; p<0.001), Hispanics (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75 - 0.91; p<0.001) and Asians or Pacific Islanders (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.73 - 0.99; p=0.04) compared to Whites. Average inflation adjusted charges were significantly higher for all minorities compared to Whites except for Native Americans for whom charges were significantly lower than Whites (p<0.05 for Black, Hispanic, Asian, NA or Others vs. Whites). LOS was modestly higher for Blacks or Other races vs. Whites (p=0.01 B vs. W and Others vs. W) and lower for Native Americans vs. Whites (p<0.001). Conclusions: Blacks, Hispanics and Asians hospitalized for HF are significantly less likely to die in the hospital compared to Whites. Hospital charges for racial-ethnic minorities are significantly higher compared to Whites. The reasons for racial differences in HF hospitalization outcomes require further investigation.