Abstract WP82: Racial Disparities Affecting Hospitalization For Acute Ischemic Stroke: A National Inpatient Sample Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke affects more than 795000 individuals annually, of which 87% are ischemic. We aimed to determine the socioeconomic and racial disparities in this prevalent cerebrovascular disease. Methodology: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for 2017 to identify patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. Demographics were analyzed after stratifying the population by race. Multivariate regression analysis was performed taking disposition, total hospital charges and length of stay (LOS) as outcomes of interest. Results: A total of 519904 ischemic stroke patients were included in the study of which 66.3% were white, 16.8% black, 7.9% hispanic and 8.9% in the other race category. Blacks (50.39%) and hispanics (43.43%) were significantly younger (<65 years) compared to whites (27.74%). Blacks (54.9%) and hispanics (38.4%) were significantly present in the lowest national household income quartile compared to whites (25.2%). In adjusted analysis, blacks (aOR-1.37; p<0.001), hispanics (aOR-1.20; p<0.001) and others (aOR-1.26; p<0.001) had a higher odds of increased LOS (>7days) as compared to whites. Hispanics had 9% (p<0.001) lower odds whereas blacks had 30% higher odds (p<0.001) of being discharged to short-term hospital/skilled nursing facility (SNF) compared to their white counterparts. Blacks, hispanics and others were found to have considerably higher hospital charges compared to whites(table 2). Conclusion: Increased LOS, greater distribution in lowest quartile of income and higher total charges for blacks and hispanics compared to whites indicates continued prevalence of racial and socioeconomic disparities.