Racial Disparities In Care Research Articles

Evaluation of guideline recommended treatment utilization among Black and White men with metastatic prostate cancer.

103 Background: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men with a disproportionate burden on Black men. 1 Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to White counterparts. 2 Racial disparities in care delivery for early-stage disease are well documented and may contribute to disparate outcomes, 3–6 but less is known about racial gaps in advanced prostate cancer care, a stage where effective therapies can prolong life for years. 7 We sought to evaluate if treatment disparities were evident among Black and White men with metastatic prostate cancer. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with metastatic prostate cancer receiving treatment at a large public tertiary care health system between 2015 and 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and medication prescribing data were extracted from the electronic health record. We excluded patients without ICD codes indicating metastatic disease, those without any documented medication data in our health system, and those who did not identify as Black or White race. We estimated the prevalence ratio (PR) of being prescribed each of the recommended treatment options for metastatic prostate cancer per National Comprehensive Care Network guidelines, including androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), novel anti-androgens, chemotherapy, and bone protection comparing Black men to White men using log-binomial regression. Results: We identified 1,594 patients with metastatic prostate cancer; 485 (30%) were Black. Black patients were younger and had higher Charlson scores compared to White men. Both groups were highly insured, Medicaid was more common for Black men (7.2% vs 2.2%). Prescribing of systemic treatments was similar by race (Table). Combination ADT and novel antiandrogen prescribing was also similar by race (PR 1.04 95% CI:(0.91 - 1.17), p=0.6). About 30% of both Black and White patients interacted with our Patient Navigation team, a group of oncology nurses focused on ensuring patients receive recommended care. Conclusions: In a large public tertiary care health system, we did not observe racial disparities in receipt of guideline recommended therapies for metastatic prostate cancer. High rates of insurance, a robust patient navigation program, and a well-developed pharmacy assistance program may have helped mitigate racial disparities in care. Ongoing analyses are evaluating prescribing patterns among patients with de novo metastatic disease. Future studies should explore delivery of prostate cancer therapies across health systems and the influence of patient navigation and pharmacy assistance programs on medication receipt. Prevalence ratios of treatment by race. Medication PR (95% CI) for Black v White men p-value ADT 1.04 (0.98-1.11) 0.19 Novel Antiandrogen 1.05 (0.95-1.16) 0.31 Bone protection 0.89 (0.76-1.04) 0.13 Chemotherapy 1.09 (0.85-1.39) 0.51

Racial disparities in breast cancer care among reproductive-aged women continued after COVID-19 pandemic.

e13757 Background: Despite the aggressive nature of breast cancer (BC) among women under 45 years old, racial disparities in BC care still exist. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted racial disparities in care management. This study described staging, treatment use, and healthcare resource use (BC-HCRU) among reproductive-aged White, Asian, and Black women before and after COVID-19 to identify possible care changes. Methods: This retrospective claims study assessed White, Asian, and Black women aged 18 to 44 years old with newly diagnosed BC in the Komodo Research Dataset from August 2018-May 2023. Women were stratified based on their first observable BC diagnosis (index) into two cohorts, pre-COVID-19 (pre) (February-July 2019) and post-COVID-19 (post) (July-November 2022). Patients were required to have >6 months of medical and pharmacy continuous enrollment before (baseline) and after index (follow-up), and a second BC diagnosis during follow-up. BC-HCRU was defined as a claim with a BC diagnosis. Results: Pre-COVID-19 included 875 White, 116 Asian, and 267 Black women (mean age 39.0 years, 38.5 years and 37.8 years respectively) and post-COVID-19 included 879 White, 127 Asian, 386 Black women (mean age 38.8 years, 38.9 years and 37.9 years respectively). While the proportions with commercial insurance decreased (pre: White, Asian, Black: 72.5%, 71.6%, 42.7%; post: 51.9%, 61.4%, 23.6%) and with Medicaid increased (pre: White, Asian, Black: 24.3%, 27.6%, 53.6%; post: 45.2%, 38.6%, 75.1%) for all, most White and Asian women had commercial insurance and most Black women had Medicaid pre- and post-COVID-19. The proportion with metastatic BC increased for all in the post period, but lower incidences remained among White (pre: 20.7%; post: 25.1%) and Asian (pre: 17.2%; post: 22.8%) than Black women (pre: 25.5%; post: 28.0%). While both the proportions of White and Asian women with BC-related ER visits increased, suggesting greater acute care needs, the proportion of Asian women doubled and became higher than White women; the highest incidence also remained among Black women (pre: White, Asian, Black: 13.1%, 7.8%, 22.8%; post: 15.4%, 18.1%, 21.0%). The proportion with any treatment (medication, surgery, radiation) remained highest for Asian women (pre: 87.9%; post: 90.6%) and decreasingly lowest for Black women (pre: 84.3%; post: 80.3%), and the mean time to treatment remained shortest for White women (pre: 40.3 days; post: 44.3) and longest for Black women (pre: 47.4; post: 49.8). Conclusions: While COVID-19 affected BC care among all reproductive-aged women, racial disparities in BC care remained or increased in this vulnerable population. Comparative analyses assessing the factors driving these disparities should be explored to understand these health inequities further, and real-world clinical practice should consider these differences when implementing necessary BC management.

Identifying racial disparities in the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Objective(s)Heart failure (HF) is chronic and progressive. Individuals with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF or EF) < 40% are classified as having heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Black patients have the highest incidence of HF and are more likely to suffer serious consequences from the disease. Identifying and addressing racial disparities in care is vital to ensuring health equity. The primary objective was to determine the association of race with 1-year heart HF admission rates for white and black patients, when adjusted for EF and age. The secondary objective was to determine the proportion of patients not on guideline-directed medication therapy (GDMT). DesignThis study was a retrospective chart review conducted between 10/22/2021 and 11/22/2022 of Veteran patients with HFrEF who were identified via the VA Heart Failure Dashboard. Only White and Black patients were included. A multivariable logistic regression was used to determine odds of admission due to HF. Pharmacotherapy was analyzed to identify gaps in GDMT and if racial disparities existed. Setting and participantsVeterans within the Veterans Affairs Western New York Healthcare System. Outcome measuresOne-year HF admission rates for white and black patients, when adjusted for EF and age. Proportion of patients not on GDMT. ResultsOf the 345 patients with HF originally identified, 172 were included; 22% were admitted within one year. Black patients were 2.9 times more likely to be admitted. (P = 0.031). A median of two drugs (interquartile range [IQR] 1-3) could be added and one dose could be optimized (IQR 1-4) to reach GDMT goals. No differences were found in the prescribing of GDMT or in proportion of patients not on GDMT at recommended doses between white and black patients. ConclusionBlack patients were more likely to be admitted for HF than white patients. Pharmacists can play an important role in identifying the need for optimizing GDMT. Future studies could focus on pharmacist-led prospective interventions with an aim to close the gap in racial disparities.

Postpartum remote home blood pressure monitoring: the new frontier

There has been an alarming and substantial increase in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, which are a significant driver of maternal morbidity and mortality. The postpartum period is an especially high-risk time, with >50% of pregnancy-related deaths and significant morbidity occurring during this period. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests inpatient or equivalent monitoring of blood pressures in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy for the immediate 72 hours postpartum and again within 7 to 10 days postpartum. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy significantly contribute to healthcare costs through increasing admission lengths, rates of readmissions, the number of medications given, and laboratory studies ordered, and through the immeasurable impact on the patient and society. Telemedicine is an essential option for patients with barriers to accessing care, particularly those in remote areas with difficulty accessing subspecialty care, transportation, childcare, or job security. The implementation of these programs also has potential to mitigate racial inequities given that patients of color are disproportionately affected by the morbidity and mortality of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Remote blood pressure monitoring programs are generally acceptable, with high levels of satisfaction in the obstetrical population without posing an undue burden of care. Studies have reported different, but encouraging, measures of feasibility, including rates of recruitment, consent, engagement, adherence, and retention in their programs. Considering these factors, the widespread adoption of postpartum blood pressure monitoring programs holds promise to improve the identification and care of this at-risk population. These immediate clinical effects are significant and can reduce short-term hypertension-related morbidity and even mortality, with the potential for long-term benefit with culturally competent, well-reimbursed, and widespread use of these programs. This clinical opinion aims to show that remote monitoring of postpartum hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is a reliable and effective alternative to current follow-up care models that achieves improved blood pressure control and diminishes racial disparities in care while simultaneously being acceptable to providers and patients and cost-saving to hospital systems.

Does universal insurance influence disparities in high-quality hospital use for inpatient pediatric congenital heart defect care within the first year of diagnosis?

BackgroundHealthcare disparities are an issue in the management of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) in children. Although universal insurance may mitigate racial or socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in CHD care, prior studies have not examined these effects in the use of High-Quality Hospitals (HQH) for inpatient pediatric CHD care in the Military Healthcare System (MHS). To assess for racial and SES disparities in inpatient pediatric CHD care that may persist despite universal insurance coverage, we performed a cross-sectional study of the HQH use for children treated for CHD in the TRICARE system, a universal healthcare system for the U.S. Department of Defense. In the present work we evaluated for the presence of disparities, like those seen in the civilian U.S. healthcare system, among military ranks (SES surrogate) and races and ethnicities in HQH use for pediatric inpatient admissions for CHD care within a universal healthcare system (MHS).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using claims data from the U.S. MHS Data Repository from 2016 to 2020. We identified 11,748 beneficiaries aged 0 to 17 years who had an inpatient admission for CHD care from 2016 to 2020. The outcome variable was a dichotomous indicator for HQH utilization. In the sample, 42 hospitals were designated as HQH. Of the population, 82.9% did not use an HQH at any point for CHD care and 17.1% used an HQH at some point for CHD care. The primary predictor variables were race and sponsor rank. Military rank has been used as an indicator of SES status. Patient demographic information at the time of index admission post initial CHD diagnosis (age, gender, sponsor marital status, insurance type, sponsor service branch, proximity to HQH based on patient zip code centroid, and provider region) and clinical information (complexity of CHD, common comorbid conditions, genetic syndromes, and prematurity) were used as covariates in multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsAfter controlling for demographic and clinical factors including age, gender, sponsor marital status, insurance type, sponsor service branch, proximity to HQH based on patient zip code centroid, provider region, complexity of CHD, common comorbid conditions, genetic syndromes, and prematurity, we did not find disparities in HQH use for inpatient pediatric CHD care based upon military rank. After controlling for demographic and clinical factors, lower SES (Other rank) was less likely to use an HQH for inpatient pediatric CHD care; OR of 0.47 (95% CI of 0.31 to 0.73).ConclusionsWe found that for inpatient pediatric CHD care in the universally insured TRICARE system, historically reported racial disparities in care were mitigated, suggesting that this population benefitted from expanded access to care. Despite universal coverage, SES disparities persisted in the civilian care setting, suggesting that universal insurance alone cannot sufficiently address differences in SES disparities in CHD care. Future studies are needed to address the pervasiveness of SES disparities and potential interventions to mitigate these disparities such as a more comprehensive patient travel program.

Use of an echocardiographic-based, artificial intelligence system to improve racial disparities in care of patients with valvular heart disease

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Referral for valvular interventions is frequently delayed, and racial disparities in access to care are prominent in the United States. Purpose To assess the effectiveness of an echocardiographic (Echo) – based, artificial intelligence (AI) driven protocol in improving management of patients with severe aortic stenosis (SAS) and severe mitral regurgitation (SMR). Methods From 10/2019 to 11/2022, 126,678 Echo’s (73,453 patients) were screened using a proprietary natural language processing (NLP) system to detect SAS and SMR based on the ACC/AHA guidelines. Aggregated zip code-derived census data and the area deprivation index (ADI) were merged based on each patient’s recorded address at the time of their index Echo. The control group comprised of Echo’s performed 10/2019–2/2020 (prior to implementation of our NLP system) and the intervention group of those between 2/2020–11/2022 (following implementation of NLP). Our AI system uses NLP to detect SAS/SMR from Echo reports and automatically sends a notification to the referring clinician’s inbox with recommendation for referral to appropriate specialist. The endpoint was follow-up defined as the combination of (a) follow-up Echo, (b) follow-up clinic visit with the heart valve (for SAS) or the advanced heart failure clinic (for those with SMR), or (c) follow-up valvular intervention. Results Figure 1 summarizes the sociodemographic and Echo characteristics of the patients, as well as outcomes. Notifications were more likely to be sent out for black patients (OR 2, 1.69–2.34, p&amp;lt;0.001), and those with a lower mean national ADI rank (39.29 vs 42.33, p = 0.001). Time to the combined follow up was improved (74 days vs. 43 days, pre vs. post AI/NLP, p&amp;lt; 0.001) (Figure 1, 2A). Both white and black patients saw an improvement in time to combined endpoint (57 vs 36 days, p = 0.015 for whites, 120 vs 64 days, p = 0.035 for blacks), the improvement being more significant in black patients (Figure 2B). Conclusions An Echo - based, AI/NLP system was helpful in improving overall management of patients with SAS and SMR and in bridging racial disparities. More diverse, multi-site studies are needed to confirm our single-site findings.

Racial Disparities in High- and Low-Value Healthcare Services Received in the Final Year of Life for Medicare Beneficiaries with Neurodegenerative Diseases (P4-9.001)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To determine if receipt of high- and low-value healthcare services in the final year of life differ by race for patients with neurodegenerative diseases (NDD), defined as any form of dementia or Parkinson’s disease. <h3>Background:</h3> Prior studies have shown substantial racial disparities in care received by patients with NDD. However, no studies have evaluated disparities in the value (defined as the ratio of benefit to cost) of care received in the last year of life, a time period that is important to patients and families and is associated with high healthcare expenditures. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> This was a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries in North and South Carolina from 2013–2017. Low-value healthcare services were selected from the Choosing Wisely initiative and included contraindicated cancer screening, peripheral artery stenting, and feeding tube placement. High-value healthcare services included receipt of physical or occupational therapy, hospice care, or cost-effective medications indicated to treat NDD. <h3>Results:</h3> Among 70,650 decedents, 13,753 were Black, 55,765 were White, 93.1% had dementia, and 7.7% had Parkinson’s disease. Adjusting for age, sex, Medicaid dual enrollment status, rural vs urban location, state (NC, SC), and comorbidities, Black decedents were more likely to receive low-value care including colorectal cancer screening (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.46 [1.32–1.61]), peripheral artery stenting (aHR 1.72 [1.43, 2.08]), and feeding tube placement (aHR 2.96 [2.70–3.24]) and less likely to receive physical therapy (aHR 0.73 [0.64, 0.85)], dementia medications (aHR 0.90 [0.86, 0.95]), or Parkinson’s disease medications (aHR 0.88 [0.75, 1.02]) within the last year of life, and were less likely to be admitted to hospice (aHR 0.82 [0.79–0.85]). <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Complex, systemic dynamics beyond healthcare access alone may drive racial disparities in end-of-life care for patients with NDD. Interventions to improve health equity in end-of-life settings are desperately needed. <b>Disclosure:</b> Mr. Lusk has received research support from American Heart Association. Dr. Ford has nothing to disclose. Ms. Greiner has nothing to disclose. An immediate family member of Dr. Clark has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC. Dr. Johnson has nothing to disclose. The institution of Brystana Kaufman has received research support from AstraZeneca. The institution of Brystana Kaufman has received research support from NIH. The institution of Brystana Kaufman has received research support from 199. Dr. Mantri has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Consultant for Deep Brain Innovations, LLC. Dr. Mantri has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Grey Matter Technology. The institution of Dr. Mantri has received research support from The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research. Dr. Xian has nothing to disclose. Dr. O’Brien has nothing to disclose. Dr. O’Brien has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Boehringer Ingelheim. The institution of Dr. O’Brien has received research support from Pfizer. The institution of Dr. O’Brien has received research support from BMS. Dr. Goetz has nothing to disclose.

Identifying racial disparities in care for children with spastic cerebral palsy: A single center study.

Existing evidence identifies racial and ethnic disparities impacting the prevalence and severity of cerebral palsy (CP). There is a paucity of literature examining the impact on associated treatment. In this retrospective cohort study, an institutional database search identified outpatient encounters for pediatric patients with spastic CP. Additional filters were used to determine treatments received. For each treatment, the proportion of African American (AA) patients receiving treatment was compared to the proportion of Caucasian (C) patients receiving the same treatment. 3,686 children with spastic CP were seen in outpatient clinics associated with an academic tertiary hospital over a 21-year period. There was no significant difference between the proportion of any treatment compared to the entire sample for AA or C patients. In this sample, there was no significant evidence of a racial disparity for AA patients receiving treatments for spasticity. This data is limited by several factors. Further research is needed to determine whether pediatric patients with disabilities are receiving equitable care. Clinicians should consider systematically monitoring their practices to identify areas of bias or inequity in accessing care.

247 Private equity acquisition of nursing homes and the impact on long stay residents and racial disparities in care outcomes

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To investigate nursing homes (NHs) acquired by private equity (PE) firms and estimate the effect of PE NH acquisitions on NH care quality for NH residents and whether PE NH acquisitions exacerbate racial inequities in quality of care. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: My research estimates the causal effect of NH PE acquisitions on NH access and quality of care for NH residents and whether acquisitions exacerbate racial disparities in NH care for about 115 PE-owned NHs in the US, measuring the quality of care at the facility survey year level, and using an array of NH-level data sources. I identified 115 PE-owned NHs (treatment group) and 665 non-PE-owned NHs between 2003 and 2010, using the Online Survey Certification and Reporting database to obtain facility characteristics. I compare facility characteristics (e.g., payer mix, staffing levels, and quality measures such as pressure ulcers, unexpected weight loss, acuity, and health deficiencies). I will then test whether effects differ by race, with hypotheses informed by Public Health Critical Race Praxis approach. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Preliminary results show that staffing levels differ between PE and non-PE-owned NHs in a way that aligns with a shift in focus toward the Medicare population i.e. short stays. We also find that deficiencies increased in PE-owned NHs compared to non-PE-owned NHs. We expect that PE acquisitions may lead to slightly widening racial disparities in NH care quality. Results may show that PE-owned NHs have a higher share of low-rated, high-BIPOC facilities. In weak markets, PE-owned NHs may have a higher share of BIPOC residents compared to highly competitive markets. This is because PE managers may prioritize cost over quality by cutting services. However, since quality measures are self-reported, except for measures related to deficiencies, this predicted lower quality of care may not be evident in observed data. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Understanding how PE ownership impacts nursing home care quality for long-stay residents, especially those funded by Medicaid, can help develop intervention strategies to effectively mitigate racial inequities in NH care, as Medicaid funded NH residents are more likely to be Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

The Impact of Physician Race and Sex on Patient Ranking of Physician Competence and Perception of Leadership Ability.

Background Biases affect patient perceptions of their physician and influence the physician-patient relationship. While racial disparities in care and inequities in the healthcare workforce are well-documented, the impact of physician race on patient perceptions remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of physician race and sex on patient perceptions during simulated preoperative encounters. Methods Three hundred patients recruited consecutively in the Preanesthesia Evaluation and Testing Center viewed pictures of 4 anesthesiologists (black male, white male, black female, white female) in random order while listening to a set of paired audio recordings describing general anesthesia. Participants ranked each anesthesiologist on confidence, intelligence, and likelihood of choosing the anesthesiologist to care for their family member, and chose the one anesthesiologist most like a leader. Results Compared to white anesthesiologists, black anesthesiologists had greater odds of being ranked more confident (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.89; P=0.008) and being considered a leader (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.50 to 2.84; P<0.0001). Among white participants, black anesthesiologists had greater odds of being ranked more intelligent (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.81; P<0.0001) and were more likely to be chosen to care for a family member (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.66 to 3.08; P<0.0001). Female anesthesiologists had greater odds of being ranked more intelligent (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.71; P=0.009) and were more likely to be chosen to care for a family member (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.27 to 1.97; P<0.001) compared with male anesthesiologists. Conclusions Contrary to our hypothesis,patients ranked black physicians more highly on multiple competence andleadership qualitymetrics. Our data likelyhighlightthe role social desirability bias may play in studies of racial disparities within medicine.

Promoting Prognostic Understanding and Health Equity for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease: Using “Best Case/Worst Case”

Promoting Prognostic Understanding and Health Equity for Patients With Advanced Liver Disease: Using “Best Case/Worst Case”

Identifying and Overcoming Racial Disparities in Multiple Myeloma Care: Results from a Large-Scale Equity-Focused Quality Improvement Initiative

Background A prior quality improvement (QI) initiative (Mikhael ASH 2020) was conducted to address root causes of racial disparities in care delivery among patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma (MM) in 2 large oncology systems. Preliminary survey data suggested discordant beliefs regarding patients’ primary treatment concerns. Thus, this study was scaled up to 4 community-based oncology practices to greater evaluate disparities with electronic medical record (EMR) audits and team-based audit-feedback (AF) sessions to identify factors which could enhance more equitable care. Methods This QI initiative included patient and provider surveys, baseline and follow-up EMR audits, and small-group, team-based AF sessions at each participating clinic. Surveys were completed by 59 hematology/oncology healthcare providers (HCPs) and 100 R/R MM patients (Table 1; N=47 Black, N=50 White/Non-Hispanic) to examine alignments and discordances in attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and practices regarding MM care. A baseline EMR audit of 200 R/R MM patients (Table 1; N=32 Black, N=122 White/Non-Hispanic) was conducted to identify patient/disease characteristics, treatment history, clinical practice metrics, and patient-centered measures (e.g., shared decision-making). During 1-hour AF sessions, HCP cohorts (Table 1) (a) assessed clinic-specific practice gaps identified by the patient-provider surveys and baseline EMR audit, (b) prioritized areas for improvement, and (c) developed action plans to address root causes. Surveys completed before (N=59) and after (N=41) the AF sessions measured changes in participants’ beliefs and confidence in care delivery. A follow-up EMR audit after completion of the AF sessions was performed to assess behavioral and practice change. Results Patient and HCP tethered survey data revealed discordant beliefs about patients’ primary treatment concerns. HCPs overestimated patients concern regarding treatment cost (32% vs 9%) and treatmentrisks (55% vs 29%), but underestimated patient's largest reported challenge in feeling confident that their treatment plan is the best for their cancer (18% vs 32%). Providers reported the most challenging aspect of MM management was individualizing treatment plans. There was large divergence between HCPs and all patients’ top goals (Figure 1) and stark racial disparities were observed in improving quality of life, preventing progression or recurrence, and surviving as long as possible (Figure 1). Disparities also persisted among patients who reported being on track or somewhat on track to achieve their treatment goals (76% White vs 54% Black/Hispanic, p = 0.021). Regarding shared decision-making (SDM) with their HCP, only 14% of Black/Hispanic patients felt completely involved in treatment decision making compared to 54% of White patients (p = < 0.001). EMR audits revealed fewer Black patients using maintenance therapy (63% vs 71% non-Black) and greater numbers of stem cell transplants (53% Black vs 44% non-Black). Following AF sessions 55% of HCPs set action plans to incorporate strategies to eliminate disparities in care for diverse MM patient populations and 48% to develop personalized treatment plans incorporating patient-specific factors and preferences. To achieve these goals, providers committed to engage patients in shared decision-making (17% pre-AF vs 38% post-AF), and provide adequate patient education about treatments (17% pre-AF vs 28% post-AF). Participants’ views of the impact of race and socioeconomic factors on equitable MM care changed as a result of the program increasing from 37% to 54% reporting a considerable or a great deal of impact. Conclusions Barriers to equitable, patient-centered care in patients with R/R MM included inadequate education and personalizing of treatment plans by HCPs as well as ineffective SDM. Discordances were observed between providers and all patients in describing the goals of treatment, and between White and Black/Hispanic patients in the challenges faced in their MM care. Action plans developed during this QI initiative intend to address identified gaps and improve equitable care for patients with R/R MM. Study Sponsor Statement The study reported in this abstract was funded by independent educational grants from AbbVie, Inc. Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Janssen Biotech Inc., who had no role in the study design, execution, analysis, or reporting. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Pancreatic cancer among Pacific Islanders: a comprehensive analysis of an understudied racial group

ABSTRACT Objective Racial disparities in care and outcome have been demonstrated for several cancers, but it is not clear that a similar discrepancy exists for pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, there are limited data describing the pancreatic cancer experience of Pacific Islanders. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of Pacific Islander patients with pancreatic cancer. Design We obtained data for a consecutive sample of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients who presented to the largest hospital in Hawaii from 1 January 2000, through 31 December 2019. Analyses were performed for the entire population and separately for patients who had their cancer resected. Overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed to determine the prognostic capacity of clinical and pathologic factors. Results A total of 1040 patients were included in the final analysis. Pacific islanders presented at a significantly younger age compared to Whites or Asians and had the highest Medicaid rate. There were no statistically significant racial differences in stage at presentation or treatments. We did not demonstrate an association between race and survival on univariate analysis, nor after adjusting for demographic and tumor factors. Age, stage, and treatment were significantly associated with survival for both univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusion We did not demonstrate disparate outcomes among Pacific Islanders with pancreatic cancer. This is likely due in part to the absence of a screening test and the notable poor prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, equity in treatment may have contributed to racial parity in survival.

Impact of timing of multimodal analgesia in enhanced recovery after cesarean delivery protocols on postoperative opioids: A single center before-and-after study

Study objectiveEnhanced recovery after cesarean delivery (ERAC) programs aim to decrease maternal morbidity and aid in maternal recovery and return to baseline. Multimodal analgesia is an important element of ERAC protocols, but no consensus exists on the timing of medication administration. We compared maternal pain outcomes following scheduled cesarean delivery with modification of the timing of administration of multimodal analgesia with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. DesignBefore-and-after study. SettingLabor and delivery unit at a single academic institution. InterventionNSAIDs and acetaminophen were administered as a fixed-interval alternating regimen every 3 h for the initial ERAC group (ERAC 1) and fixed-interval combined regimen every 6 h for the modified ERAC group (ERAC 2). ERAC 1 and ERAC 2 groups were compared to historical controls (Pre-ERAC). Patients520 women undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery (Pre-ERAC n = 179, ERAC 1 n = 179, and ERAC 2 n = 162). MeasurementsThe primary outcomes were postoperative total and daily opioid utilization as measured in morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Secondary outcomes included postoperative length of stay, maximum pain scores, and racial disparities in care. Main resultsThe modified schedule of non-opioid analgesics involving combined administration (ERAC 2) versus alternating administration (ERAC 1) of multimodal analgesia resulted in decreased total postoperative opioid utilization (median = 26.3 vs 52.5 MME, Bonferroni corrected P = 0.002). Total postoperative opioid utilization among the ERAC 2 group was also significantly reduced compared to the Pre-ERAC group (median = 26.3 vs 105.0 MME, Bonferroni corrected P < 0.0001). ConclusionsMultidisciplinary teams developing or modifying ERAC protocols for scheduled cesarean delivery should consider a combined administration at fixed intervals of NSAIDs and acetaminophen throughout the hospital stay to optimize postoperative pain management.

Racial Differences in Manipulation Under Anesthesia Rates Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

BackgroundDespite the extensive literature on racial disparities in care and outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), data on manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is lacking. We aimed to determine (1) the relationship between race and rate of (and time to) MUA after TKA, and (2) annual trends in racial differences in MUA from 2013 to 2018. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study (using 2013-2018 Medicare Limited Data Set claims data) included 836,054 primary TKA patients. The primary outcome was MUA <1 year after TKA; time from TKA to MUA in days was also recorded. A mixed-effects multivariable model measured the association between race (White, Black, Other) and odds of MUA. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. A Cochran Armitage Trend test was conducted to assess MUA trends over time, stratified by race. ResultsMUA after TKA occurred in 1.7%, 3.2% and 2.1% of White, Black, and Other race categories, respectively (SMD = 0.07). After adjustment for covariates, (Black vs White) patients had increased odds of requiring an MUA after TKA: odds ratio (OR) 1.97, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.86-2.10, P < .0001. Moreover, White (compared to Black) patients had significantly shorter time to MUA after TKA: 60 days (interquartile range [IQR] 46-88) versus 64 days (interquartile range [IQR] 47-96); P < .0001. These disparities persisted from 2013 through 2018. ConclusionContinued racial differences exist for rates and timing of MUA following TKA signifying the continued need for efforts aimed toward understanding and eliminating inequalities that exist in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) care.

Geographic Region, Racial/Ethnic Disparities, and Late-Life Depression: Results From a Large US Cohort of Older Adults

To determine associations between geographic region and late-life depression (LLD) severity, item-level symptom burden, and treatment; to evaluate whether racial/ethnic disparities in LLD, previously observed in the overall sample, vary by region. We included 25,502 VITAL (Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial) participants and administered the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 for depressive symptoms; participants also reported medication and/or counseling care for depression. Multivariable regression analyses were performed. Despite overall lower LLD severity and item-level symptom burden in the Midwest versus Northeast, higher LLD severity and item-level burden were observed among minorities, especially Black and Hispanic adults, compared to non-Hispanic whites in this region. Racial/ethnic disparities in item-level symptoms (e.g., anhedonia, sadness, psychomotor changes) varied by region. There were no significant differences in depression care by region; furthermore, regional variation was not observed in racial disparities in care: e.g., among those with clinician/physician-diagnosed depression, Blacks versus non-Hispanic whites had greater than 50% lower odds of treatment in all regions. LLD varied by geographic region. Furthermore, magnitudes of racial/ethnic disparities in LLD severity and item-level symptom burden, but not depression care, differed by region.

Racial Disparities in Care Interactions and Clinical Outcomes in Black Versus White Nursing Home Residents With Dementia.

With the increase in Black nursing home residents, racial and ethnic disparities in quality of care have been raised. The purpose of this study was to evaluate racial disparities in care and outcomes over 12 months. This was a secondary data analysis using data from the Evidence Integration Triangle for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia study. A total of 553 residents, 24% Black residents and 76% White residents, from 55 nursing homes were included. Differences favoring Black resident were noted in agitation, quality of life, inclusion of person-centered care approaches in care plans, and fewer falls and hospitalizations. Differences in quality-of-care interactions favored White residents. There were no differences in depression, resistiveness to care, function, pain, or transfers to the emergency department. Disparities in clinical outcomes were small and generally favored Black versus White residents except for quality-of-care interactions.

Racial Disparities in ICU Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Racial disparities in the United States healthcare system are well described across a variety of clinical settings. The ICU is a clinical environment with a higher acuity and mortality rate, potentially compounding the impact of disparities on patients. We sought to systematically analyze the literature to assess the prevalence of racial disparities in the ICU. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. We identified articles that evaluated racial differences on outcomes among ICU patients in the United States. Two authors independently screened and selected articles for inclusion. We dual-extracted study characteristics and outcomes that assessed for disparities in care (e.g., in-hospital mortality, ICU length of stay). Studies were assessed for bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Of 1,325 articles screened, 25 articles were included (n = 751,796 patients). Studies demonstrated race-based differences in outcomes, including higher mortality rates for Black patients when compared with White patients. However, when controlling for confounding variables, such as severity of illness and hospital type, mortality differences based on race were no longer observed. Additionally, results revealed that Black patients experienced greater financial impacts during an ICU admission, were less likely to receive early tracheostomy, and were less likely to receive timely antibiotics than White patients. Many studies also observed differences in patients' end-of-life care, including lower rates on the quality of dying, less advanced care planning, and higher intensity of interventions at the end of life for Black patients. This systematic review found significant differences in the care and outcomes among ICU patients of different races. Mortality differences were largely explained by accompanying demographic and patient factors, highlighting the effect of structural inequalities on racial differences in mortality in the ICU. This systematic review provides evidence that structural inequalities in care persist in the ICU, which contribute to racial disparities in care. Future research should evaluate interventions to address inequality in the ICU.

Racial Disparities in Management and Outcomes of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Complicating Myocardial Infarction: A National Study From England and Wales

BackgroundStudies of racial disparities in care of patients admitted with an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in the setting of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have shown inconsistent results. Whether these differences in care exist in the universal healthcare system in United Kingdom is unknown. MethodsPatients admitted with a diagnosis of AMI and OHCA between 2010 and 2017 from the Myocardial Ischaemia National Audit Project (MINAP) were studied. All patients were stratified based on ethnicity into a Black, Asian, or minority ethnicity (BAME) group vs a White group. We used multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate the predictors of clinical outcomes and treatment strategy. ResultsFrom 14,287 patients admitted with AMI complicated by OHCA, BAME patients constituted a minority of patients (1185 [8.3%]), compared with a White group (13,102 [91.7%]). BAME patients were younger (median age [interquartile range]) for BAME group, 58 [50-70] years; for White group, 65 [55-74] years). Cardiogenic shock (BAME group, 33%; White group, 20.7%; P < 0.001) and severe left ventricular impairment (BAME group, 21%; White group, 16.5%; P < 0.003) were more frequent among BAME patients. BAME patients were more likely to be seen by a cardiologist (BAME group, 95.9%; White group, 92.5%; P < 0.001) and were more likely to receive coronary angiography than the White group (odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-1.88). The BAME group had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04-1.52) and re-infarction (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06-2.18) than the White group. ConclusionsBAME patients were more likely to be seen by a cardiologist and receive coronary angiography than White patients. Despite this difference, the in-hospital mortality of BAME patients, particularly in the Asian population, was significantly higher.

Partisan Differences in Twitter Language Among US Legislators During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study

BackgroundAs policy makers continue to shape the national and local responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the information they choose to share and how they frame their content provide key insights into the public and health care systems.ObjectiveWe examined the language used by the members of the US House and Senate during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and measured content and sentiment based on the tweets that they shared.MethodsWe used Quorum (Quorum Analytics Inc) to access more than 300,000 tweets posted by US legislators from January 1 to October 10, 2020. We used differential language analyses to compare the content and sentiment of tweets posted by legislators based on their party affiliation.ResultsWe found that health care–related themes in Democratic legislators’ tweets focused on racial disparities in care (odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% CI 2.22-2.27; P<.001), health care and insurance (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.7-1.77; P<.001), COVID-19 testing (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.12-1.19; P<.001), and public health guidelines (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.22-1.29; P<.001). The dominant themes in the Republican legislators’ discourse included vaccine development (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.47-1.55; P<.001) and hospital resources and equipment (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18-1.25). Nonhealth care–related topics associated with a Democratic affiliation included protections for essential workers (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.52-1.59), the 2020 election and voting (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.27-1.35), unemployment and housing (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.24-1.31), crime and racism (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18-1.26), public town halls (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.16-1.23), the Trump Administration (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.19-1.26), immigration (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.12-1.19), and the loss of life (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.35-1.42). The themes associated with the Republican affiliation included China (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.85-1.92), small business assistance (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.23-1.3), congressional relief bills (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.2-1.27), press briefings (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.19-1.26), and economic recovery (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.16-1.23).ConclusionsDivergent language use on social media corresponds to the partisan divide in the first several months of the course of the COVID-19 public health crisis.