Impact of More Detailed Measures of Disease Severity on Racial Disparities in Cardiac Surgery Mortality among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.

Studies that examine racial disparities in health outcomes often include analyses that account or adjust for baseline differences in co-morbid conditions. Often, these conditions are defined as dichotomous (Yes/No) variables, and few analyses include clinical and/or laboratory data that could allow for more nuanced estimates of disease severity. However, disease severity - not just prevalence - can differ substantially by race and is an underappreciated mechanism for health disparities. Thus, relying on dichotomous disease indicators may not fully describe health disparities. This study explores the effect of substituting continuous clinical and/or laboratory data for dichotomous disease indicators on racial disparities, using data from the Queen's Medical Center's (QMC) cardiac surgery database (a subset of the national Society of Thoracic Surgeon's cardiothoracic surgery database) as an example case. Two logistic regression models predicting in-hospital mortality were constructed: (I) a baseline model including race and dichotomous (Yes/No) indicators of disease (diabetes, heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease), and (II) a more detailed model with continuous laboratory values in place of the dichotomous indicators (eg, including Hemoglobin A1c level rather than just diabetes yes/no). When only dichotomous disease indicators were used in the model, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHPI) race was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.57[1.29,2.47], P=.04). Yet when the more specific laboratory values were included, NHPI race was no longer associated with in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.67[0.92,2.28], P=.28). Thus, researchers should be thoughtful in their choice of independent variables and understand the potential impact of how clinical measures are operationalized in their research.

Takotsubo Syndrome in Black Americans: Insights From the National Inpatient Sample.

BACKGROUND: Data on race-related differences in the clinical outcomes of Takotsubo syndrome are limited, particularly for Black patients. This study aimed to assess whether race and sex may have an additional impact on the inpatient mortality of patients with Takotsubo syndrome. METHODS: A total of 4,628 patients from the United States' National Inpatient Sample from 2012 to 2016 were identified; propensity score analysis revealed a similar propensity score between Black patients (n = 2,314) and White patients (n = 2,314), which was used to balance observed covariates. Sex and age distributions were identical between the 2 groups. The groups were also similar in baseline characteristics, including cardiovascular risk factors. White patients were compared with Black patients on in-hospital outcomes and inpatient mortality. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to measure the difference in mortality based on race and sex. RESULTS: Compared with White patients, Black patients had a higher percentage of in-hospital complications, including cerebrovascular accidents (4.9% vs 2.5%, P ≤ .01), acute kidney injury (25% vs 19%, P ≤ .01); longer lengths of stay (8 vs 7 days, P ≤ .01); and higher inpatient mortality (6.1% vs 4.5%, P < .01). When analysis was conducted with race and sex combined, inpatient mortality was higher among Black men than among White women (odds ratio, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.80-3.95]; P ≤ .01). CONCLUSION: This study showed that Black patients with Takotsubo syndrome have higher in-hospital complications and inpatient mortality rates. When race and sex were combined, inpatient mortality was significantly higher among Black men than among either White men and women or Black women.

Neighborhood Childhood Opportunity, Race/Ethnicity, and Surgical Outcomes in Children With Congenital Heart Disease.

BACKGROUND: Racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes for children with congenital heart disease (CHD) coexist with disparities in educational, environmental, and economic opportunity. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the associations between childhood opportunity, race/ethnicity, and pediatric CHD surgery outcomes. METHODS: Pediatric Health Information System encounters aged <18 years from 2016 to 2022 with International Classification of Diseases-10th edition codes for CHD and cardiac surgery were linked to ZIP code-level Childhood Opportunity Index (COI), a score of neighborhood educational, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions. The associations of race/ethnicity and COI with in-hospital surgical death were modeled with generalized estimating equations and formal mediation analysis. Neonatal survival after discharge was modeled by Cox proportional hazards. RESULTS: Of 54,666 encounters at 47 centers, non-Hispanic Black (Black) (OR: 1.20; P = 0.01), Asian (OR: 1.75; P < 0.001), and Other (OR: 1.50; P < 0.001) groups had increased adjusted mortality vs non-Hispanic Whites. The lowest COI quintile had increased in-hospital mortality in unadjusted and partially adjusted models (OR: 1.29; P = 0.004), but not fully adjusted models (OR: 1.14; P = 0.13). COI partially mediated the effect of race/ethnicity on in-hospital mortality between 2.6% (P = 0.64) and 16.8% (P = 0.029), depending on model specification. In neonatal multivariable survival analysis (n = 13,987; median follow-up: 0.70 years), the lowest COI quintile had poorer survival (HR: 1.21; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Children in the lowest COI quintile are at risk for poor outcomes after CHD surgery. Disproportionally increased mortality in Black, Asian, and Other populations may be partially mediated by COI. Targeted investment in low COI neighborhoods may improve outcomes after hospital discharge. Identification of unmeasured factors to explain persistent risk attributed to race/ethnicity is an important area of future exploration.

Comparisons between White and Black Patients Hospitalized with Postliver Transplant Complications/Failure.

OBJECTIVES: The impact of race on patients presenting to North American hospitals with postliver transplant complications/failure (PLTCF) has not been studied fully. We compared in-hospital mortality and resource utilization outcomes between White and Black patients hospitalized with PLTCF. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study that evaluated the years 2016 and 2017 from the National Inpatient Sample. Regression analysis was used to determine in-hospital mortality and resource utilization. RESULTS: There were 10,805 hospitalizations for adults with liver transplants who presented with PLTCF. White and Black patients with PLTCF made up 7925 (73.3%) hospitalizations from this population. Among this group, 6480 were White (81.7%) and 1445 were Black (18.2%). Blacks were younger than Whites (mean age ± standard error of the mean: 46.8 ± 1.1 vs 53.6 ± 0.39 years, P < 0.01). Blacks were more likely to be female (53.9% vs 37.4%, P < 0.01). Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were not significantly different (scores ≥3: 46.7% vs 44.2%, P = 0.83). Blacks had significantly higher odds for in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.9, confidence interval [CI] 1.4-6.1; P < 0.01). Hospital charges were higher for Blacks compared with Whites (adjusted mean difference $48,432; 95% CI $2708-$94,157, P = 0.03). Blacks had significantly longer lengths of hospital stays (adjusted mean difference 3.1 days, 95% CI 1.1-5.1, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with White patients hospitalized for PLTCF, Black patients had higher in-hospital mortality and resource use. Investigation into causes leading to this health disparity is needed to improve in-hospital outcomes.

Vaccination Status and Trends in Adult Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalizations by Race and Ethnicity: March 2020-August 2022.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether race/ethnicity disparities in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes persist in the era of vaccination. METHODS: Population-based age-adjusted monthly rate ratios (RRs) of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-associated hospitalizations were calculated among adult patients from the COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network, March 2020 - August 2022 by race/ethnicity. Among randomly sampled patients July 2021 - August 2022, RRs for hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality were calculated for Hispanic, Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN), and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) persons vs White persons. RESULTS: Based on data from 353 807 patients, hospitalization rates were higher among Hispanic, Black, and AI/AN vs White persons March 2020 - August 2022, yet the magnitude declined over time (for Hispanic persons, RR = 6.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.5-7.1 in June 2020 vs RR < 2.0 after July 2021; for AI/AN persons, RR = 8.4; 95% CI, 8.2-8.7 in May 2020 vs RR < 2.0 after March 2022; and for Black persons RR = 5.3; 95% CI, 4.6-4.9 in July 2020 vs RR < 2.0 after February 2022; all P ≤ .001). Among 8706 sampled patients July 2021 - August 2022, hospitalization and ICU admission RRs were higher for Hispanic, Black, and AI/AN patients (range for both, 1.4-2.4) and lower for API (range for both, 0.6-0.9) vs White patients. All other race and ethnicity groups had higher in-hospital mortality rates vs White persons (RR range, 1.4-2.9). CONCLUSIONS: Race/ethnicity disparities in COVID-19-associated hospitalizations declined but persist in the era of vaccination. Developing strategies to ensure equitable access to vaccination and treatment remains important.

Contemporary Trends in Acute Myocardial Infarction in the American Indian/Alaska Native U.S. Population, 2000 to 2018.

Coronary heart disease is disproportionately prevalent in the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population. As care for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) continues to advance, equitable distribution and access for the AI/AN population is essential. Primary AMI hospitalizations for adults ≥18 years of age were identified from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample from 2000 to 2018. Related co-morbidities, procedures of interest, and in-hospital mortality were also identified. These rates were stratified by race then trended over years using Poisson regression. Overall, 9,904,714 weighted hospitalizations for primary AMI were identified. From 2000 to 2018, AI/AN adults had relatively high rates of primary AMI hospitalization, second only to non-Hispanic (NH) White adults. The AMI rate increased from 14.0/1,000 to 16.1/1,000 among AI/AN adults, remaining higher than NH Black adults (12.1/1,000 to 13.0/1,000) and Hispanic adults (10.3/1,000 and 12.7/1,000) and becoming increasingly closer to NH White adults (25.1/1,000 to 20.0/1,000) (p <0.001 for each). AI/AN adults presented 5 years earlier than their NH White counterparts (64 vs 69 years old; p <0.001). In-hospital mortality was approximately 5% for all race categories and decreased in all groups but decreased at a much greater rate for NH White, NH Black and Hispanic adults (0.2% per year) compared with AI/AN adults (0.08% per year; p <0.001 for each comparison). Rates of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention increased in all groups, but coronary artery bypass graft utilization increased only in AI/AN adults (from 7% to 10%, p <0.001). In conclusion, from 2000 to 2018, AI/AN adults had a high rate of AMI hospitalizations (second only to NH White adults) that increased significantly over time. AI/AN adults were 5 years younger than their NH White counterparts at index AMI hospitalization. Care during these hospitalizations was similar among all racial groups, and in-hospital mortality decreased for all groups, albeit to a lesser degree among AI/AN adults. This study highlights the need for improved access to outpatient primary AMI prevention in the AI/AN population.

Race-Ethnic Differences of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Findings from a New York Health System Registry.

Background: Race and ethnicity are major considerations in the incidence, management, and long-term outcome of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the United States, but there is limited existing comparative data. Methods: We assembled a registry in a health system serving Bronx, NY of STEMI patients from 2008-2014 and analyzed differences in presentation, treatment and mortality between Hispanic/Latino (H/L), non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW). Upon discharge post-treatment for STEMI, all patients were followed for a median of 4.4 years (interquartile range 2.5, 6.0). Out of 966 STEMI patients, mean age was 61 years, 46% were H/L and 65% were male. H/Ls and NHBs had a higher prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus than their NHW counterparts, coinciding with a lower socioeconomic status (SES). Results: The number of critically diseased vessels found at cardiac catheterization and mean troponin levels did not vary by race-ethnicity; neither did the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for death. However, age-sex adjusted rates of general hospital readmission were higher in NHBs vs NHWs (HR 1.30, P=.03). Age-sex adjusted cardiovascular readmissions rates were higher in H/Ls than NHWs (HR 1.42, P=.03). Age-sex adjusted heart failure readmissions were increased for both H/Ls (HR 2.14, P=.01) and NHBs (HR 2.12, P=.02) over NHWs. Conclusions: Among STEMI patients, a higher prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and a lower SES was seen among NHBs and H/Ls compared to NHWs. Despite similar coronary disease severity and in-hospital death, NHBs and H/Ls had a greater risk of general, cardiovascular and heart failure readmissions post-STEMI compared to NHWs.

Association of race/ethnicity with mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate racial and ethnic differences in mortality among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after adjusting for baseline characteristics and comorbidities. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study at 13 acute care facilities in the New York City metropolitan area included sequentially hospitalized patients between March 1, 2020, and April 27, 2020. Last day of follow up was July 31, 2020. Patient demographic information, including race/ethnicity and comorbidities, were collected. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 10 869 patients were included in the study (median age, 65 years [interquartile range (IQR) 54-77; range, 18-107 years]; 40.5% female). In adjusted time-to-event analysis, increased age, male sex, insurance type (Medicare and Self-Pay), unknown smoking status, and a higher score on the Charlson Comorbidity Index were significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Adjusted risk of hospital mortality for Black, Asian, Hispanic, multiracial/other, and unknown race/ethnicity patients were similar to risk for White patients. CONCLUSIONS: In a large diverse cohort of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, patients from racial/ethnic minorities experienced similar mortality risk as White patients.

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 30 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 30 de 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 33 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 33 de 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 28 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 28 de 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 21 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 21 de 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 18 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 18, 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 20 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 20 de 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 15 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 15, 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 16 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 16, 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 17 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 17, 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 09 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 09, 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 10 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 10, 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)

Boletim Epidemiológico COVID-2019 (RS): semana epidemiológica (SE) 11 de 2022 / Epidemiological Bulletin COVID-2019 (RS): epidemiological week (SE) 11, 2022

Neste boletim são apresentados: situação mundial, ocorrência de hospitalizações confirmadas para sars-cov-2, perfil das pessoas, distribuição espacial, Síndrome Inflamatória Multissistêmica Pediátrica (SIM-P), povos indígenas, descrição de surtos, trabalhadores da saúde, Vigilância sentinela de síndrome gripal e tabelas de descrição do surto. (AU)