Influence of racial disparities in procedure use on functional status outcomes among patients with coronary artery disease

Determinants of Seattle Angina Questionnaire in Multivessel Disease Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Insights from a Single-Center Study

INTRODUCTION

The Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ-7) quantifies the impact of angina on patient functionality and quality of life. There is scarce data on the impact of social determinants and comorbidities on SAQ-7 in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with planned staged PCI.

METHODS

Patients completed a SAQ-7 before each PCI. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to study the impact of social determinants, comorbidities, and procedural characteristics on SAQ-7 scores at index PCI and at the time of the staged PCI.

RESULTS

531 patients were studied. Female sex, non-White race, coronary artery bypass graft history (CABG), and chronic lung disease were associated with lower baseline SAQ-7 scores. Overall, SAQ-7 increased between index procedure and staged PCI (11.9 ± 23.4). Body mass index (BMI) and the treatment of bifurcation lesions were independently associated with improvement of SAQ-7 between PCIs. Post-intervention, neither sex nor race was independently associated with changes in SAQ-7 scores.

CONCLUSION

Different disparities and comorbid factors affect SAQ-7 before and after PCI. After revascularization, sex and race were not independent predictors of SAQ-7 improvement.

Non-White Race/Ethnicity and Female Sex Are Associated with Increased Allogeneic Red Blood Cell Transfusion in Cardiac Surgery Patients: 2007-2018

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate racial and/or ethnic and sex disparities in allogeneic and autologous red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in cardiac surgery.

DESIGN

A retrospective observational study.

SETTING

2007 to 2018 data from FL, MD, KY, WA, NY, and CA from the State Inpatient Databases (SID), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 710,296 inpatients who underwent elective or emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), cardiac valve surgery,or combination CABG and/or valve surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patients were cohorted by race and/or ethnicity and sex, as defined by SID-HCUP. Demographic characteristics and comorbidities were compared. Rates and risk-adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated for allogeneic and autologous RBC transfusion (primary outcomes). Additional secondary analyses were conducted for in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission, 90-day readmission, hospital length of stay, and total charges to examine the effect of RBC transfusion status. Effect modification between race and sex was assessed. When controlling for patient demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics, non-White patients were more likely to receive an allogeneic RBC transfusion during cardiac surgery than White patients (Black: aOR 1.17, 99% CI 1.13-1.20, p < 0.001, Hispanic: aOR 1.22, 99% CI 1.19-1.22, p < 0.001). Women were more likely to receive allogeneic RBC than men (aOR 1.69, 99% CI 1.66-1.72, p < 0.001). In interaction models, non-White women had the highest odds of allogeneic blood transfusion as compared to White men (reference category; Black women: aOR 2.04, 99% CI 1.91-2.17, p < 0.001, Hispanic women: aOR 2.03, 99% CI 1.90-2.16, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

These findings highlighted the differences in the rates of allogeneic RBC transfusion for non-White and female patients undergoing cardiac surgery, which is a well-established marker of poorer outcomes.

Racial Disparities in Ion Channelopathies and Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases Associated With Sudden Cardiac Death

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the most common cause of death worldwide, and cardiac arrhythmias account for approximately one half of these deaths. The morbidity and mortality from CVD have been reduced significantly over the past few decades; however, disparities in racial or ethnic populations still exist. This review is based on available literature to date and focuses on known cardiac channelopathies and other inherited disorders associated with sudden cardiac death in African American/Black subjects and the role of epigenetics in phenotypic manifestations of CVD, and illustrates existing disparities in treatment and outcomes. The review also highlights the knowledge gaps that limit understanding of the manifestation of phenotypic abnormalities across racial or ethnic groups and discusses disparities associated with device underuse in the management of patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. We discuss factors related to reports in the United States, that the overall mortality attributed to CVD and the number of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrests are higher among African American/Black subjects when compared with other racial or ethnic groups. African American/Black subjects are disproportionally affected by CVD, including cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, thus highlighting a major concern in this population that remains underrepresented in clinical trials with limited genetic testing and device underuse. The proposed solutions include (1) early identification of genetic variants, which is crucial in tailoring a preventive management strategy; (2) inclusion of diverse racial or ethnic groups in clinical trials; (3) compliance with guideline‐directed medical treatment and referral to cardiovascular subspecialists; and (4) training and mentoring of underrepresented junior faculty in cardiovascular health disparities research.

Social Characteristics, Health, and Mortality Among Male Centenarians Using Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care

We studied male centenarian Veterans using VA health care to understand the impact of social characteristics on their annual mortality rate, adjusting for prevalent health conditions. This longitudinal study used VA Electronic Health Record data from 1997 to 2012 (n = 1,858). Covariates included age, race, marital status, and periods of military service. The mean age was 100.4 ± 1.4 years, 76% were white, and 49% were married. The average annual mortality rate was 32 per 100 person-years. The annual mortality rate was stable and not affected by race but did vary by marital status. Divorced or separated centenarians had a 21% higher rate of death than married centenarians. A diagnosis of dementia or of congestive heart failure each increased the mortality risk by 37%. Providers should consider prevalent health conditions, as well as marital status, in managing care of centenarian Veterans.

Socioeconomic disparities in surveillance and follow-up of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysm

BACKGROUND

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a significant risk factor for aortic dissection and rupture. Guidelines recommend referral of patients to a cardiovascular specialist for periodic surveillance imaging with surgical intervention determined primarily by aneurysm size. We investigated the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and surveillance practices in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed records of 465 consecutive patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2016 with ascending aortic aneurysm ≥4 cm on computed tomography scans. Primary outcomes were clinical follow-up with a cardiovascular specialist and aortic surveillance imaging within 2 years following index scan. We stratified patients into quartiles using the area deprivation index (ADI), a validated percentile measure of 17 variables characterizing SES at the census block group level. Competing risks analysis was used to determine interquartile differences in risk of death before follow up with a cardiovascular specialist.

RESULTS

Lower SES was associated with significantly lower rates of surveillance imaging and referral to a cardiovascular specialist. On competing risks regression, the ADI quartile with lowest SES had lower hazard of follow-up with a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon before death (hazard ratio: 0.46 [0.34, 0.62], p < .001). Though there were no differences in aneurysm size at time of surgical repair, patients in the lowest socioeconomic quartile were more frequently symptomatic at surgery than other quartiles (92% vs. 23%-38%, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with lower SES receive less timely follow-up imaging and specialist referral for TAAs, resulting in surgical intervention only when alarming symptoms are already present.

Increased Access to Cardiac Surgery Did Not Improve Outcomes: Early Look into Medicaid Expansion

BACKGROUND

Cardiac surgery utilization has increased after passage of the Affordable Care Act. This multi-state study examined whether changes in access after Medicaid Expansion (ME) have led to improved outcomes, overall and particularly among ethno-racial minorities.

METHODS

State Inpatient Databases were used to identify non-elderly adults (ages 18-64) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, or mitral valve repair in three expansion (Kentucky, New Jersey, Maryland) vs two non-expansion states (North Carolina, Florida) from 2012 to 2015. Linear and logistic Interrupted Time Series (ITS) were used with two-way interactions and adjusted for patient, hospital, and county-level factors to compare trends and instantaneous changes at the point of ME implementation (Q1 2014) for mortality, length of stay (LOS), and elective status. ITS models estimated expansion effect, overall and by race-ethnicity.

RESULTS

Analysis included 22,038 cardiac surgery patients from expansion states and 33,190 from non-expansion states. In expansion states, no significant trend changes were observed for mortality (OR 1.01, p=0.83) or LOS (β= -0.05, p=0.20), or elective surgery (OR 1.00, p=0.91). There were similar changes seen in non-expansion states. Among ethno-racial minorities, ME did not impact outcomes or elective status.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite an increase in cardiac surgery utilization following ME, outcomes remained unchanged in the early period after implementation, overall and among ethno-racial minorities. Future research is needed to confirm long-term trends and examine reasons behind this lack of improved outcomes.

Cardiac Surgery Utilization Across Vulnerable Persons After Medicaid Expansion

BACKGROUND

Medicaid expansion (ME) under the Affordable Care Act has reduced the number of uninsured patients, although its preferential effects on vulnerable populations have been mixed. This study examined whether ME preferentially improved cardiac surgery use by insurance strata, race, and income level.

METHODS

Non-elderly adults (aged 18-64 years) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, or mitral valve repair were identified in the State Inpatient Databases for 3 expansion states (Kentucky, New Jersey, and Maryland) and 2 non-expansion states (North Carolina and Florida) from 2012 to the third quarter of 2015. We used adjusted Poisson interrupted time series to determine the impact of ME on cardiac surgery use for Medicaid or uninsured (MCD/UIS) patients, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals from low-income areas.

RESULTS

In expansion states, use among non-White MCD/UIS patients had a positive trend after ME (2.3%/quarter; P = .156), whereas use for White MCD/UIS patients fell (-1.7%/quarter; P = .117). In contrast, use among non-White MCD/UIS in non-expansion states decreased by 4.4% (P < .001) which was a greater decline than among White MCD/UIS patients (-1.8%/quarter; P = .057). There was no substantial effect of ME on cardiac surgery use for MCD/UIS patients from low- versus high-income areas.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that the use of cardiac surgical procedures was generally unchanged after ME; however, nonsignificant trend differences suggest a narrowing gap between vulnerable and non-vulnerable groups in ME states. These preliminary findings help describe the association of insurance coverage as a driver of cardiac surgery use among vulnerable patients.

Rapid review: Identification of digital health interventions in atherosclerotic-related cardiovascular disease populations to address racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities

Disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated health and healthcare delivery outcomes have been partially attributed to differential risk factors, and to prevention and treatment inequities within racial and ethnic (including language) minority groups and low socioeconomic status (SES) populations in urban and rural settings. Digital health interventions (DHIs) show promise in promoting equitable access to high-quality care, optimal utilization, and improved outcomes; however, their potential role and impact has not been fully explored. The role of DHIs to mitigate drivers of the health disparities listed above in populations disproportionately affected by atherosclerotic-related CVD was systematically reviewed using published literature (January 2008–July 2020) from multiple databases. Study design, type and description of the technology, health disparities information, type of CVD, outcomes, and notable barriers and innovations associated with the technology utilized were abstracted. Study quality was assessed using the Oxford Levels of Evidence. Included studies described digital health technologies in a disparity population with CVD and reported outcomes. DHIs significantly improved health (eg, clinical, intermediate, and patient-reported) and healthcare delivery (eg, access, quality, and utilization of care) outcomes in populations disproportionately affected by CVD in 24 of 38 included studies identified from 2104 citations. Hypertension control was the most frequently improved clinical outcome. Telemedicine, mobile health, and clinical decision support systems were the most common types of DHIs identified. DHIs improved CVD-related health and healthcare delivery outcomes in racial/ethnic groups and low SES populations in both rural and urban geographies globally.

Ethnic and Racial Disparities in Acute Myocardial Infarction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Significant racial and ethnic healthcare disparities exist in the management and outcomes of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This review will highlight the recent studies focusing on disparities in AMI care and how practice patterns have changed over time, and discuss solutions and future directions to overcome disparities in AMI care.

RECENT FINDINGS

AMI continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA. Racial and ethnic disparities continue to be present in the care and outcomes associated with AMI. Non-white individuals continue to receive less guideline-concordant care and experience higher rates of adverse outcomes compared with white individuals. Health policy and quality improvement interventions have helped to narrow the gap; however, ongoing efforts are needed to continue to attempt to eliminate this disparity. Racial and ethnic disparities persist in the presentation, management, and outcomes of patients with AMI. Improvements in care have narrowed some of the inequalities. Ongoing research and efforts directed at improving access to care, eliminating bias in healthcare, and focusing on coronary heart disease prevention are needed to eliminate disparities.

Association of Hospital Racial Composition and Payer Mix With Mortality in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background Patient characteristics insufficiently explain disparities in cardiovascular outcomes among hospitalized patients, suggesting a role for community or hospital-level factors. Here, we evaluate the association of hospital racial composition and payer mix with all-cause inpatient mortality for patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods and Results Using the National Inpatient Sample, we identified adult hospitalizations from 2014 with a primary diagnosis of ACS (n=550 005). We divided National Inpatient Sample hospitals into quartiles based on percent of minority (black, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American race/ethnicity) and low-income payer (Medicaid or uninsured) discharges in 2014. We utilized logistic regression to determine whether hospital minority or low-income payer makeup associated with all-cause inpatient mortality among those admitted for ACS . In adjusted models, ACS patients admitted to hospitals with >12.4% to 25.4% (Quartile 2), >25.4% to 44.3% (Q3), and >44.3% (Q4) minority discharges experienced a 14% (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.23), 13% (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.23), and 15% (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.26) increased odds of all-cause inpatient mortality compared with hospitals with ≤12.4% (Q1) minority discharges. ACS patients admitted to hospitals with >18.7% to 25.7% (Q2) and >34.0% (Q4) low-income payer discharges experienced a 9% (OR 1.09, 1.01-1.17) and 9% (OR 1.09, 1.00-1.19) increased odds of all-cause inpatient mortality when compared with hospitals with ≤18.7% (Q1) low-income payer discharges. Conclusions Hospital minority and low-income payer makeup positively associate with odds of all-cause inpatient mortality among patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome.

Predictive risk stratification using HEART (history, electrocardiogram, age, risk factors, and initial troponin) and TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) scores in non-high risk chest pain patients: An African American urban community based hospital study

Validated risk scoring systems in African American (AA) population are under studied. We utilized history, electrocardiogram, age, risk factors, and initial troponin (HEART) and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) scores to predict major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in non-high cardiovascular (CV) risk predominantly AA patient population.A retrospective emergency department (ED) charts review of 1266 chest pain patients where HEART and TIMI scores were calculated for each patient. Logistic regression model was computed to predict 6-week and 1-year MACE and 90-day cardiac readmission. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was constructed to differentiate between clinical strategies in non-high CV risk patients.Of the 817 patients included, 500 patients had low HEART score vs. 317 patients who had moderate HEART score. Six hundred sixty-three patients had low TIMI score vs. 154 patients had high TIMI score. The univariate logistic regression model shows odds ratio of predicting 6-week MACE using HEART score was 3.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43-6.76, P = .004) with increase in risk category from low to moderate vs. 2.07 (95% CI 1.18-3.63, P = .011) using TIMI score with increase in risk category from low to high and c-statistic of 0.86 vs. 0.79, respectively. DCA showed net benefit of using HEART score is equally predictive of 6-week MACE when compared to TIMI.In non-high CV risk AA patients, HEART score is better predictive tool for 6-week MACE when compared to TIMI score. Furthermore, patients presenting to ED with chest pain, the optimal strategy for a 2% to 4% miss rate threshold probability should be to discharge these patients from the ED.

Use of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Among Black and White Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States

Background Racial disparities in invasive cardiac procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the general population are well documented; however, national-level data on such disparities in the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population are lacking. We assessed racial differences in PCI between black and white patients with ESRD on maintenance dialysis. Methods and Results Using the US Renal Data System database, we abstracted Medicare inpatient procedure claims for PCI in a cohort of 268 575 Medicare-primary patients who initiated treatment on maintenance dialysis from January 1, 2009, through June 1, 2013. We conducted Cox regression analyses with PCI being the event, adjusted for demographic characteristics, Hispanic ethnicity, cause of ESRD, comorbidities, and socioeconomic factors. We also assessed the probability of PCI, accounting for death or transplant in competing risk regression models. The crude incidence rate of PCI among white patients was 25.8 per 1000 patient-years versus 15.5 per 1000 patient-years among black patients. Cox regression analyses demonstrated that black patients were significantly less likely to undergo PCI compared with white patients (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.64; 95% CI, 0.62-0.67; P<0.001). In the competing risk models, the racial gap for PCI among black and white patients remained significant with death (subdistribution hazard ratio: 0.81; 95% CI, 0.76-0.85; P<0.001) or transplant as a competing event (subdistribution hazard ratio: 0.67; 95% CI, 0.64-0.70; P<0.001). Conclusions A racial gap exists in PCI use among dialysis patients despite having comprehensive coverage with Medicare. These findings persisted despite accounting for demographic, clinical, socioeconomic factors, and death or transplant as competing events.

Disparities in cardiovascular disease risk in the United States

This is a comprehensive narrative review of the literature on the current science and evidence of population-level differences in risk factors for heart disease among different racial and ethnic population in the United States (U.S.). It begins by discussing the importance of population-level risk assessment of heart disease in light of the growth rate of specific minority populations in the U.S. It describes the population-level dynamics for racial and ethnic minorities: a higher overall prevalence of risk factors for coronary artery disease that are unrecognized and therefore not treated, which increases their likelihood of experiencing adverse outcome and, therefore, potentially higher morbidity and mortality. It discusses the rate of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) in minority communities. Minority patients with ACS are at greater risk of myocardial infarction (MI), rehospitalization, and death from ACS. They also are less likely than non-minority patients to receive potentially beneficial treatments such as angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention. This paper looks at the data surrounding the increased rate of heart disease in racial and ethnic minorities, where the risk is related to the prevalence of comorbidities with hypertension or diabetes mellitus, which, in combination with environmental factors, may largely explain CHF disparity. The conclusion is that it is essential that healthcare providers understand these various communities, including nuances in disease presentation, risk factors, and treatment among different racial and ethnic groups. Awareness of these communities’ attributes, as well as differences in incidence, risk factor burdens, prognosis and treatment are necessary to mitigate racial and ethnic disparities in heart disease.

Racial disparities in outcomes after cardiac surgery: the role of hospital quality

Patients from racial and ethnic minorities experience higher mortality after cardiac surgery compared to white patients, both during the early postoperative phase as well as long term. A number of factors likely explain poor outcomes in black and minority patients, which include differences in biology, comorbid health conditions, socioeconomic background, and quality of hospital care. Recent evidence suggests that a major factor underlying excess mortality in these groups is due to their over-representation in low-quality hospitals, where all patients regardless of race have worse outcomes. In this review, we examine the factors underlying racial disparities in outcomes after cardiac surgery, with a primary focus on the role of hospital quality.

The current state of ethnic and racial disparities in cardiovascular care: lessons from the past and opportunities for the future

Significant racial/ethnic disparities have been documented in cardiovascular care. Although health care quality is improving for many Americans, differences in clinical outcomes have persisted between racial/ethnic minority patients and non-minorities, even when income, education level, and site of care are taken into consideration. Potential causes of disparities are complex and are related to differences in risk factor prevalence and control, use of evidence-based procedures and medications, and social and environmental factors. Minority patients are more likely to receive care from lower-quality health care providers and institutions and experience more barriers to accessing care. Factors such as stereotyping and bias in medicine are hard to quantify, but likely contribute to differences in treatment. Recent trends suggest that some disparities are decreasing. Opportunities for change and improvement exist for patients, providers, and health care systems. Promising interventions, such as health policy changes, quality improvement programs, and culturally targeted community and clinic-based interventions offer hope that high-quality health care in the USA can be provided to all patients.

Increased coronary artery disease severity in black women undergoing coronary bypass surgery

Race and sex disparities are believed to play an important role in heart disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between race, sex, and number of diseased vessels at the time of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and subsequent postoperative outcomes. The 13,774 patients undergoing first-time, isolated CABG between 1992 and 2011 were included. Trend in the number of diseased vessels between black and white patients, stratified by sex, were analyzed using a Cochran-Armitage trend test. Models were adjusted for age, procedural status (elective vs. nonelective), and payor type (private vs. nonprivate insurance). Black female CABG patients presented with an increasingly greater number of diseased vessels than white female CABG patients (adjusted P(trend) = 0.0021). A similar trend was not observed between black and white male CABG patients (adjusted P(trend) = 0.18). Black female CABG patients were also more likely to have longer intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay than other race-sex groups.Our findings suggest that black female CABG patients have more advanced coronary artery disease than white female CABG patients. Further research is needed to determine the benefit of targeted preventive care and preoperative workup for this high-risk group.

Population-based approaches to understanding disparities in cardiovascular disease risk in the United States

This is a comprehensive narrative review of the literature on the current science and evidence of population-level differences in risk factors for heart disease among different racial and ethnic population in the US. It begins by discussing the importance of population-level risk assessment of heart disease in light of the growth rate of specific minority populations in the US. It describes the population-level dynamics for racial and ethnic minorities: a higher overall prevalence of risk factors for coronary artery disease that are unrecognized and therefore not treated, which increases their likelihood of experiencing adverse outcomes and, therefore, potentially higher morbidity and mortality. It discusses the rate of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in minority communities. Minority patients with ACS are at greater risk of myocardial infarction, rehospitalization, and death from ACS. They also are less likely than nonminority patients to receive potentially beneficial treatments such as angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention. This paper looks at the data surrounding the increased rate of congestive heart failure in racial and ethnic minorities, where the risk is related to the prevalence of comorbidities with hypertension or diabetes mellitus, which, in combination with environmental factors, may largely explain congestive heart failure disparity. The conclusion is it is essential that health care providers understand these various communities, including nuances in disease presentation, risk factors, and treatment among different racial and ethnic groups. Awareness of these communities' attributes as well as differences in incidence, risk factor burdens, prognosis, and treatment are necessary to mitigate racial and ethnic disparities in heart disease.

Racial Disparity in Duration of Patient Visits to the Emergency Department: Teaching Versus Non-teaching Hospitals

Introduction:

The sources of racial disparity in duration of patients’ visits to emergency departments (EDs) have not been documented well enough for policymakers to distinguish patient-related factors from hospital- or area-related factors. This study explores the racial disparity in duration of routine visits to EDs at teaching and non-teaching hospitals.

Methods:

We performed retrospective data analyses and multivariate regression analyses to investigate the racial disparity in duration of routine ED visits at teaching and non-teaching hospitals. The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Emergency Department Databases (SEDD) were used in the analyses. The data include 4.3 million routine ED visits encountered in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Utah during 2008. We computed duration for each visit by taking the difference between admission and discharge times.

Results:

The mean duration for a routine ED visit was 238 minutes at teaching hospitals and 175 minutes at non-teaching hospitals. There were significant variations in duration of routine ED visits across race groups at teaching and non-teaching hospitals. The risk-adjusted results show that the mean duration of routine ED visits for Black/African American and Asian patients when compared to visits for white patients was shorter by 10.0 and 3.4%, respectively, at teaching hospitals; and longer by 3.6 and 13.8%, respectively, at non-teaching hospitals. Hispanic patients, on average, experienced 8.7% longer ED stays when compared to white patients at non-teaching hospitals.

Conclusion:

There is significant racial disparity in the duration of routine ED visits, especially in non-teaching hospitals where non-White patients experience longer ED stays compared to white patients. The variation in duration of routine ED visits at teaching hospitals when compared to non-teaching hospitals was smaller across race groups.

Altered health status and quality of life in South Asians with coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

People of South Asian (SA) ancestry are susceptible to coronary artery disease (CAD). Although studies suggest that SA with CAD has a worse prognosis compared with Europeans, it is unknown whether corresponding differences in functional status and quality-of-life (QOL) measures exist. Accordingly, we compared symptoms, function, and QOL in SA and European Canadians with CAD using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ).

METHODS

Using the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease, an outcomes registry that captures patients undergoing cardiac catheterization in Alberta, Canada, we identified 635 SA and 18,934 European patients with angiographic CAD from January 1995 to December 2006 who reported health status outcomes using the SAQ at 1 year after the index catheterization. To obtain comparable clinical variables among SA and Europeans, we used a propensity score-matching technique.

RESULTS

One-year adjusted mean (SD) scores were significantly lower in SA compared with European Canadians for most SAQ domains: exertional capacity (75 [23] vs 80 [23], P = .011), anginal stability (77 [28] vs 77 [27], P = .627), anginal frequency (86 [23] vs 88 [20], P < .001), treatment satisfaction (86 [19] vs 89 [16], P < .001), and SAQ QOL (71 [24] vs 76 [21], P < .001). These results could not be accounted for by differences in baseline QOL scores or changes in health status from baseline to 1 year.

CONCLUSION

South Asian Canadians with established CAD have significantly worse health status outcomes at 1 year after angiography compared with European Canadians. Further studies are warranted to improve functional outcomes in SA with CAD.

Impact of Race on Mitral Procedure Selection and Short-Term Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Surgery

<p><b>Background:</b> Racial disparity with respect to mitral valve (MV) surgery has been documented; however, previous reports have been limited by small numbers, focus on patients undergoing MV replacement only, or comparison of African-American patients to white patients. Using more recent data from the largest all-payer database in the United States, we examined whether type of mitral procedure performed was influenced by race and whether racial differences exist in baseline characteristics and short-term outcomes of patients undergoing mitral repair or replacement for MV disease.</p><p><b>Methods:</b> Using the 2005-2007 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database, we identified patients ? 30 years of age who underwent MV repair or replacement, excluding ischemic and congenital MV disease. Patients were stratified into 4 racial groups: whites, African-Americans, Hispanics, and others. The 4 groups were compared with respect to baseline characteristics, type of MV procedure (repair versus replacement), and short-term outcomes.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Non-whites comprised 22.3% (7818 out of 35,074) of the patients and were generally younger, more often on Medicaid and from urban locations, and more often presented on an urgent/emergent basis. African-Americans and Hispanics tended to be less affluent and have a higher Charlson comorbidity index. MV repair was performed in 45.8% of the patients overall. The racial groups differed significantly with respect to the proportion of patients receiving repair. Hispanics were 2 times more likely to have MV replacement compared to whites (odds ratio [OR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.52-2.80, <i>P</i> = .0001), and African-Americans were more than 1.5 times more likely to have replacement compared to whites (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.35-2.11). Following adjustment for baseline characteristics, there was no difference with respect to race for in-hospital mortality or likelihood of repair, but differences between groups persisted for length of stay and discharge location. African-Americans and Hispanics were more likely than whites to have a prolonged hospitalization.</p><p><b>Conclusions:</b> African-Americans and Hispanics present for MV surgery with worse preoperative profiles and undergo mitral repair less often compared to whites. Although in-hospital mortality was not influenced by race, African-Americans and Hispanics had a more protracted hospital course even following adjustment. The disparity in mitral procedure selection among racial groups was present only prior to adjustment for important baseline characteristics. Nevertheless, this racial difference reflects current reality in surgical practice and identifies an important area for future improvement in the care of patients with valvular heart disease.</p>

Hospital racial composition: a neglected factor in cardiac arrest survival disparities

BACKGROUND

Racial disparities in survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest have been reported, but their causes remain uncertain. We sought to determine if hospital racial composition accounted for survival differences for patients hospitalized after cardiac arrest.

METHODS

We evaluated hospitalizations of white and black Medicare beneficiaries (2000-2007) admitted from the emergency department to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation. We examined unadjusted survival rates and developed a multivariable logistic regression model that included patient and hospital factors.

RESULTS

We analyzed 68,115 cardiac arrest admissions. Unadjusted survival to hospital discharge was worse for blacks (n = 7,942) compared with whites (n = 60,173) (30% vs 33%, P < .001). In multivariate analyses accounting for patient and hospital factors, adjusted probability of survival was worse for black patients at hospitals with higher proportions of black patients (31%, 95% CI 29%-32%) compared with predominately white hospitals (46%, 95% CI 36%-57%; P = .003). Similarly, whites had worse risk-adjusted survival at hospitals with higher proportions of black patients (28%, 95% CI 27%-30%) compared with predominately white hospitals (32%, 95% CI 31%-33%, P = .006). Blacks were more likely to be admitted to hospitals with low survival rates (23% vs 15%, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Hospitals with large black patient populations had worse cardiac arrest outcomes than predominantly white hospitals, and blacks were more likely to be admitted to these high-mortality hospitals. Understanding these differences in survival outcomes may uncover the causes for these disparities and lead to improved survival for all cardiac arrest victims.

Quality of life and health status after percutaneous coronary intervention in stable angina patients: results from the real-world practice

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) are associated with quality of life (QoL) and health status improvements in stable angina patients. There are few studies assessing the magnitude of this effect and its predictors in contemporary daily practice.

METHODS

Prospective cohort study with stable angina patients submitted to PCI in a tertiary interventional cardiology center. The clinical characteristics and the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) were assessed before PCI, and patients were followed-up for 1 year. Mixed linear regression and ANOVA were used to compare SAQ indices, and multivariate analysis to identify predictors of QoL improvement.

RESULTS

Between September 2006 and May 2007, 110 patients were included. The mean age of the study population was 62.8 ± 8.7 years, and 62% of the patients were of the male gender. Diabetes mellitus was present in 29%, arterial hypertension in 82%, previous myocardial infarction in 32%, and previous PCI in 29%. Before PCI, only 5% of the patients were free of angina, and this rate improved to 68% in the one-year followup (P < 0.001). There was improvement in all SAQ scales in the one-year followup, which was already shown in the 6-month assessment (P < 0.0001). Quality of life before the procedure was the main predictor of QoL improvement by multivariate analysis (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with stable angina submitted to PCI in the real-world practice present significant improvement in one-year health status, as assessed by the SAQ. Quality of life before the procedure is the main determinant of improvement in QoL.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration is associated with functional capacity in older adults with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone necessary for calcium homeostasis. Recently, studies have demonstrated that vitamin D may be important to the health of the cardiovascular system.

METHODS

Adults ≥ 50 years of age with heart failure were recruited for assessment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was used to assess functional capacity. Proximal muscle strength was evaluated with a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer [corrected] (Biodex, Shirley, NY), and health status was assessed with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Univariate associations between physical performance and health status measures and 25OHD followed by a linear regression model were used to study associations, adjusting for other potential explanatory variables.

RESULTS

Forty adults 67.8 ± 10.9 years of age (55% women and 57.5% African American) with mean ejection fraction 40% were analyzed (New York Heart Association class II in 70% and class III in 30%). Comorbidities included 77.5% hypertension and 47.5% diabetes. The mean 25OHD concentration was 18.5 ± 9.1 ng/mL, and mean peak Vo₂, 14 ± 4 mL/kg/min. In univariate regression analysis, 25OHD was positively associated with peak Vo₂ (P = .045). Multivariable regression analysis sustained positive association between 25OHD and peak Vo₂ (P = .044) after adjusting for age, race, and respiratory exchange ratio (adjusted R² = 0.32). Association between proximal muscle strength with the 25OHD concentration was not significant. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire physical limitation domain score was negatively associated with 25OHD (P = .04) but was not sustained in multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

25-Hydroxyvitamin D may be an important marker or modulator of functional capacity in patients with heart failure. Randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the effect of vitamin D repletion on functional performance.

Racial differences in the association between self-rated health status and objective clinical measures among participants in the BARI 2D trial

OBJECTIVES

We explored whether and how race shapes perceived health status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.

METHODS

We analyzed self-rated health (fair or poor versus good, very good, or excellent) and associated clinical risk factors among 866 White and 333 Black participants in the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes trial.

RESULTS

Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument scores, regular exercise, and employment were associated with higher self-rated health (P < .05). Blacks were more likely than were Whites to rate their health as fair or poor (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38, 2.57; P < .001). Among Whites but not Blacks, a clinical history of myocardial infarction (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.12, 2.31; P < .001) and insulin use (OR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.10, 2.38; P = .01) was associated with a fair or poor rating. A post-high school education was related to poorer self-rated health among Blacks (OR = 1.86; 95% CI = 1.07, 3.24; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic clinical factors played a proportionally larger role in self-assessment of health among Whites with diabetes and coronary artery disease than among Blacks with the same conditions.

Validity and Reliability of the Greek Version of the Multiple Sclerosis International Quality-of-Life Questionnaire

Background and Purpose

There are no data regarding psychometrically validated, health-related quality-of-life instruments designed specifically for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Greece. Recently, the MS International Quality-of-Life questionnaire (MusiQoL), a multidimensional, self-administered questionnaire, which is available in 14 languages (including Greek), has been validated using a large international sample. We investigated the validity and reliability of the Greek version of the MusiQoL.

Methods

Consecutive patients with different types and severities of MS were recruited from two tertiary-care centers in Greece. All patients completed the MusiQoL, the Short-Form-36 quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-36), and a symptom checklist at baseline and 21±7 days (mean±SD) later. Data regarding sociodemographic status, MS history, and functional outcome were also collected prospectively. Construct validity, internal consistency, reproducibility, and external consistency were tested.

Results

A total of 92 patients was evaluated. The construct validity was confirmed in terms of satisfactory item-internal consistency correlations and scaling success (87.5-100%) of item-discriminant validity. The dimensions of the MusiQoL exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.63-0.96), and reproducibility was satisfactory (intraclass correlation coefficients: 0.69-0.99). External validity testing indicated that the MusiQoL correlated significantly with all SF-36 dimension scores (Spearman's correlation: 0.43-0.76).

Conclusions

The Greek version of the MusiQoL appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring quality of life in Greek MS patients.

Whites and African-Americans in Headache Specialty Clinics Respond Equally Well to Treatment

This study sought to determine if Whites and African-Americans respond similarly to headache treatment administered in ‘real-world’ headache specialty treatment clinics. Using a naturalistic, longitudinal design, 284 patients receiving treatment for headache disorders completed 30–day daily diaries that assessed headache frequency and severity at pretreatment and 6–month follow-up and also provided data on their headache disability and quality of life at pretreatment and 1–, 2– and 6–month follow-up. Controlling for socioeconomic status and psychiatric comorbidity, hierarchical linear models found that African-Americans and Whites reported significant reductions in headache frequency and disability and improvements in life quality over the 6–month treatment period. African-Americans, unlike Whites, also reported significant decreases in headache severity. Nevertheless, Africans-Americans had significantly more frequent and disabling headaches and lower quality of life after treatment relative to Whites. Although Whites and African Americans responded favourably to headache treatments, more efficacious treatments are needed given the elevated level of headache frequency that remained in both racial groups following treatment.

Racial disparities in emergency department length of stay for admitted patients in the United States

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies have demonstrated the adverse effects of prolonged emergency department (ED) boarding times on outcomes. The authors sought to examine racial disparities across U.S. hospitals in ED length of stay (LOS) for admitted patients, which may serve as a proxy for boarding time in data sets where the actual time of admission is unavailable. Specifically, the study estimated both the within- and among-hospital effects of black versus non-black race on LOS for admitted patients.

METHODS

The authors studied 14,516 intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU admissions in 408 EDs in the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS; 2003-2005). The main outcomes were ED LOS (triage to transfer to inpatient bed) and proportion of patients with prolonged LOS (>6 hours). The effects of black versus non-black race on LOS were decomposed to distinguish racial disparities between patients at the same hospital (within-hospital component) and between hospitals that serve higher proportions of black patients (among-hospital component).

RESULTS

In the unadjusted analyses, ED LOS was significantly longer for black patients admitted to ICU beds (367 minutes vs. 290 minutes) and non-ICU beds (397 minutes vs. 345 minutes). For admissions to ICU beds, the within-hospital estimates suggested that blacks were at higher risk for ED LOS of >6 hours (odds ratio [OR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01 to 2.01), while the among-hospital differences were not significant (OR = 1.08 for each 10% increase in the proportion of black patients, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.23). By contrast, for non-ICU admissions, the within-hospital racial disparities were not significant (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.94 to 1.23), but the among-hospital differences were significant (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.22) per 10% point increase in the percentage of blacks admitted to a hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

Black patients who are admitted to the hospital through the ED have longer ED LOS compared to non-blacks, indicating that racial disparities may exist across U.S. hospitals. The disparity for non-ICU patients might be accounted for by among-hospital differences, where hospitals with a higher proportion of blacks have longer waits. The disparity for ICU patients is better explained by within-hospital differences, where blacks have longer wait times than non-blacks in the same hospital. However, there may be additional unmeasured clinical or socioeconomic factors that explain these results.

Effect of race on the clinical outcomes in the bypass angioplasty revascularization investigation trial

BACKGROUND

In observational studies, clinical outcomes for black patients with coronary disease have been worse than for white patients. There are few data from randomized trials comparing the outcomes of coronary revascularization between black patients and white patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analyzed data from the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation randomized trial. At study entry, the 113 black patients had significantly higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, heart failure, and abnormal left ventricular function than the 1653 white patients. Black patients had significantly higher mortality than white patients (hazard ratio, 2.16; P<0.001), which remained significant after statistical adjustment for differences in baseline clinical characteristics (hazard ratio, 1.59; P=0.003). In a substudy of economic and quality of life outcomes, the 67 black patients had similar frequency of physician visits and use of evidence-based cardiac medications but significantly worse physical function scores than the 885 white patients. The effect of random assignment to either surgery or angioplasty on clinical outcomes was not significantly modified by race (interaction probability values >or=0.18).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical outcomes of black patients after coronary revascularization were worse than those of white patients in a clinical trial setting with similar treatment and access to care. The differences in outcome between black and white patients were not completely attributable to the greater levels of comorbidity among black patients at study entry.

The effect of patients' race on provider treatment choices in coronary care: a literature review for model development

This selective literature review provides insight into the depth and breadth of the problem of unequal medical treatment of Blacks compared with Whites, with particular focus on coronary heart disease. Poor health outcomes among Blacks, when compared with Whites, are well documented, and these disparities are linked to lower quality of and less aggressive medical treatment. It is not clear why these disparities in treatment occur. This review provides theoretical frameworks that attempt to explain the effect of race on treatment and presents an analysis of the quality and strength of existing evidence of racial disparity related to coronary care. Based on the review, implications for policy makers and providers are identified.

Disparities in the provision of medical care: an outcome in search of an explanation

This purpose of this paper is to review the literature on racial/ethnic disparities in the utilization and quality of care and the proposed explanations for these differences. First, the literature on racial/ethnic disparities in medical treatment is reviewed briefly with the goal of providing a sense of the range of procedures and conditions on which these disparities occur. Then, the possible role of physician/provider, patient, and health care system factors in contributing to these disparities is reviewed. Finally, suggestions for new or expanded directions for research in each of these three areas are given. The goal of the paper is to identify factors that might be particularly amenable to the type of research done by health psychologists.

Ethnic differences in long-term improvement of angina following revascularization or medical management: a comparison between south Asians and white Europeans

BACKGROUND

It is not known whether there are disparities in morbidity outcomes between south Asians and whites with established coronary disease.

METHODS

Six-year prospective cohort study to determine whether improvement of angina symptoms differs between 196 south Asians and 1508 whites following revascularization or medical management.

RESULTS

43.9% of south Asians reported improvement in angina at 6 years compared with 60.3% of whites (age-adjusted OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.41-0.76, adjusted for diabetes, hypertension, smoking, number of diseased vessels, left ventricular function and social class OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41-0.85). Similar proportions of whites and south Asians underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (19.6% versus 19.9%) and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) (32.8% versus 30.1%). South Asians were less likely to report improved angina after PCI (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.06-0.56) or CABG (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17-0.74). There was less evidence of ethnic differences in angina improvement when treatment was medical (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.48-1.57).

CONCLUSION

South Asians were less likely to experience long-term improvements in angina than whites after receipt of revascularization. Further research is needed to identify why these ethnic groups differ in symptomatic prognosis following revascularization for coronary disease and how these differences may be mitigated.

Patient-reported health status in coronary heart disease in the United States: age, sex, racial, and ethnic differences

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) affects 15.8 million Americans. However, data on the national impact of CHD on health-related quality of life, particularly among people of different age, sex, racial, and ethnic groups, are limited.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using data from the 2000 and 2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, we examined various measures of patient-reported health status, including health-related quality of life, in the CHD and non-CHD populations and differences in the measures among demographic subgroups. These measures included short-form generic measures (Short Form 12; Mental Component Summary-12 and Physical Component Summary-12) and EuroQol Group measures (EQ-5D index and EQ visual analog scale). Ordinary least-squares regressions were used to adjust for sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors, comorbidities, and proxy report. The adjusted difference between the CHD and non-CHD populations was -1.2 for Mental Component Summary-12 (2.4% of the score in the non-CHD population), -4.6 for Physical Component Summary-12 (9.2%), -0.04 for EQ-5D (4.6%), and -7.3 for EQ visual analog scale (9.0%) (all P<0.05). Differences among demographic subgroups were observed. Particularly, compared with whites, the differences between CHD and non-CHD in blacks were bigger in all measures except Physical Component Summary-12. A significantly bigger difference in Mental Component Summary-12 also was observed among Hispanics compared with non-Hispanics.

CONCLUSIONS

CHD is associated with significant impairment of health-related quality of life and other patient-reported health status in the US adult population. Differences in the impairment associated with CHD exist across different age, racial, and ethnic groups. In addition to preventing CHD, effective public health interventions should be aimed at improving health-related quality of life and perceived health status in the CHD population, especially the most vulnerable groups.

Potential unintended financial consequences of pay-for-performance on the quality of care for minority patients

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine whether pay-for-performance (PFP) increases existing racial care disparities.

BACKGROUND

Medicare's PFP program provides financial rewards to hospitals whose care performance ranks in the highest quintile relative to peers and reduces funding to hospitals that rank in the lowest quintile. Pay-for-performance is designed to improve care but may disproportionately penalize hospitals caring for large minority populations.

METHODS

Using Medicare data, 3449 US hospitals were ranked by performance on PFP process measures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and heart failure (HF). These rankings were compared with the percentage of African American (AA) patients in a center. We determined the eligibility for financial bonus (highest quintile ranking) or penalty (lowest quintile) among centers treating large AA populations (> or = 20%) versus not after adjusting for hospital facility (catheterization, percutaneous coronary intervention, surgery), academic status, number of hospital beds, location, patient volume, and region.

RESULTS

The percentage of AA patients treated by a center was inversely associated with performance for AMI and CAP (P < .01) but not HF (P = .06). Relative to hospitals with < 20% AA, those with > or = 20% AA were less likely eligible for financial bonuses and more likely to face penalties: for AMI, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.7 (95% CI 0.5-1.0) and 1.8 (1.4-2.4), respectively; for CAP, OR 0.5 (95% CI 0.3-0.6) and 2.3 (1.8-2.9), respectively; for HF, OR 1.0 (95% CI 0.7-1.2) and 1.2 (0.9-1.5), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospitals with large minority populations may be at financial risk under PFP. Thus, PFP may worsen existing racial care disparities.

Ethnicity and socioeconomic status influence use of primary angioplasty in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become an important treatment for patients (pts) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Whether ethnic and socioeconomic disparities exist in use of primary PCI for AMI is unknown.

METHODS

Patients hospitalized for transmural AMI in Pennsylvania from January 2003 through June 2004 (n = 16985) were studied. Patient clinical characteristics, insurance status, and hospital type were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis to assess the independent correlates of PCI on the day of admission for AMI.

RESULTS

Among 16,985 pts, primary PCI was performed in 6934 (46%) of 14,944 whites, 363 (40%) of 910 African Americans, and 618 (55%) of 1131 other ethnicities. Primary PCI was associated positively with younger age, male sex, known dyslipidemia, and prior PCI (all P < .03), and negatively with diabetes, renal failure, prior myocardial infarction or bypass surgery, and higher predicted death by the Mediqual Atlas Outcomes score (all P < .01). After adjustment for these variables, African American ethnicity (odds ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.67-0.91), lowest income quintile, (odds ratios 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.80-0.94), lack of commercial insurance, and nonurban and for-profit hospital status were independently associated with not undergoing primary PCI (all P < .003).

CONCLUSION

In a large statewide database of pts with ST-segment elevation AMI, primary PCI was used less often in African American and in lower-income pts, independent of clinical, hospital, and insurance characteristics, identifying persisting disparities in application of advanced cardiac care in traditionally underserved segments of the population.

Secondary prevention outcomes among black and white cardiac rehabilitation patients

BACKGROUND

Disparities in coronary heart disease and related risk factors persist. It is unknown if cardiac rehabilitation (CR) narrows the gap in risk factor control between black and white patients. Thus, we compared baseline characteristics and secondary prevention outcomes between black and white CR patients.

METHODS

Data from patient records (n = 616, mean age 62 +/- 10 years, 29% women, 25% black) collected between January 1996 and June 2006 were examined. Comparisons were made between Blacks and Whites for baseline characteristics, changes in secondary prevention measures during CR, and the proportion of patients at treatment goals before and after CR. General linear regression modeling was used to determine the effect of race/ethnicity on outcomes.

RESULTS

At baseline, Blacks had more hypertension and diabetes and more adverse measures for blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), hemoglobin A1c, 6-minute walk distance, and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical component score. At CR completion, improvement (P < .05) was achieved among whites in all measures except for HDL-C and systolic blood pressure. Among Blacks, improvement did not reach significance for HDL-C, body mass index, waist circumference, and hemoglobin A1c (when diabetes was present). When adjusting for age, gender, number of sessions attended, and baseline measure, Whites improved more than Blacks in 6-minute walk distance, self-reported physical activity, body mass index, waist circumference, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hemoglobin A1c (all P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Blacks entered CR with more adverse risk factor measures compared with Whites. Although both groups gained secondary prevention benefits, the degree of improvement was less for Blacks than Whites, and this was especially evident among black women.

Functional status outcomes among white and African-American cardiac patients in an equal access system

BACKGROUND

Racial disparities exist in invasive cardiac procedure use and, sometimes, in subsequent functional status outcomes. We explored whether racial differences in functional outcomes occur in settings where differences in access and treatment are minimized.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 1022 white and African-American cardiac patients with positive nuclear imaging studies in 5 VA hospitals. Patients' functional status was assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months later using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and the SF-12, controlling for treatment received, clinical, sociodemographic, and psychological characteristics.

RESULTS

There were no significant baseline effects of race on functional status, after adjusting for sociodemographics, comorbid conditions, maximal medical therapy, severity of ischemia on nuclear imaging study, personal attitudes, and beliefs. Although there were no race differences in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty use, there was a trend of African Americans being less likely to undergo coronary artery bypass graft, after 6 months (1.4% vs 6.5%) and 1 year (1.9 vs 6.9%). After adjustment, the decline in the SF12 Physical Component Summary from baseline to 6 months was, on average, 2.4 points less for African Americans than for whites, and at 12 months, Anginal Stability improved 8.4 points more for African Americans. The relative strength and direction of both findings persisted after removing covariates that might be confounded with race, and African Americans decreased less than whites on Physical Limitations, and improved more on Treatment Satisfaction, Anginal Frequency, and Disease Perceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

In a setting where differences in access are minimized, so are racial differences in functional status outcomes.

Racial differences among high-risk patients presenting with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (results from the SYNERGY trial)

Management and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) may vary according to patient race and ethnicity. To assess racial differences in presentation and outcome in high-risk North American patients with non-ST-segment elevation (NSTE) ACS, we analyzed baseline racial/ethnic differences and all-cause death or nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) in 6,077 white, 586 African-American, and 344 Hispanic patients through 30-day, 6-month, and 1-year follow-up. Frequencies of hypertension were 66% for whites, 83% for African-Americans, and 78% for Hispanics (overall p <0.001). Use of angiography was similar across groups. Use of percutaneous coronary intervention (46% for whites, 41% for African-Americans, and 45% for Hispanics, overall p = 0.046) and coronary artery bypass grafting (20% for whites, 16% for African-Americans, and 22% for Hispanics, overall p = 0.044) differed. African-American patients had significantly fewer diseased vessels compared with white patients (p = 0.0001). Thirty-day death or MI was 14% for whites, 10% for African-Americans, and 14% for Hispanics (overall p = 0.034). After adjustment for baseline variables, African-American patients had lower 30-day death or MI compared with white patients (odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.55 to 0.98). There were no differences in 6-month death or MI across racial/ethnic groups. In conclusion, baseline clinical characteristics differed across North American racial/ethnic groups in the SYNERGY trial. African-American patients had significantly better adjusted 30-day outcomes but similar 6-month outcomes compared with white patients.

A systematic review of barriers in access to renal transplantation among African Americans in the United States

BACKGROUND

African-American patients with end-stage renal disease are less likely than white patients to undergo renal transplantation. The development of strategies to address this disparity requires an evidence-based understanding of the barriers that impede access to renal transplantation among African Americans in the United States.

METHODS

In September 2005, we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL for articles that identified the barriers that impeded African Americans' access to renal transplantation. Two reviewers independently extracted relevant data from the included studies. Barriers were broadly divided under two categories: (i) patient-related barriers; and (ii) healthcare-related barriers.

RESULTS

We obtained 76 potentially relevant articles of which 11 studies were included in the final review. Several patient-related barriers--personal and cultural beliefs about transplantation, lower socioeconomic status and levels of education, and healthcare-related barriers--physician perception about survival of African Americans post-transplantation, inadequate transplant work-up despite being referred, and HLA-mismatching were identified at different stages of the transplantation process. Personal and cultural beliefs of African-American patients were consistently identified as patient-related barriers among several studies. Physicians' perception about post-transplantation survival of African Americans was the most commonly identified healthcare-related barrier.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide spectrum of patient-related barriers including their personal and cultural beliefs about transplantation and several healthcare-related barriers at different stages of the transplant process impedes access to renal transplantation among African Americans in the United States. A multisectoral approach focusing on these barriers needs to be evaluated to reduce disparities in renal transplantation in the United States.

Mortality after acute myocardial infarction in hospitals that disproportionately treat black patients

BACKGROUND

African Americans are more likely to be seen by physicians with less clinical training or to be treated at hospitals with longer average times to acute reperfusion therapies. Less is known about differences in health outcomes. This report compares risk-adjusted mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) between US hospitals with high and low fractions of elderly black AMI patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A prospective cohort study was performed for fee-for-service Medicare patients hospitalized for AMI during 1997 to 2001 (n=1,136,736). Hospitals (n=4289) were classified into approximate deciles depending on the extent to which the hospital served the black population. Decile 1 (12.5% of AMI patients) included hospitals without any black AMI admissions during 1997 to 2001. Decile 10 (10% of AMI patients) included hospitals with the highest fraction of black AMI patients (33.6%). The main outcome measures were 90-day and 30-day mortality after AMI. Patients admitted to hospitals disproportionately serving blacks experienced no greater level of morbidities or severity of the infarction, yet hospitals in decile 10 experienced a risk-adjusted 90-day mortality rate of 23.7% (95% CI 23.2% to 24.2%) compared with 20.1% (95% CI 19.7% to 20.4%) in decile 1 hospitals. Differences in outcomes between hospitals were not explained by income, hospital ownership status, hospital volume, census region, urban status, or hospital surgical treatment intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk-adjusted mortality after AMI is significantly higher in US hospitals that disproportionately serve blacks. A reduction in overall mortality at these hospitals could dramatically reduce black-white disparities in healthcare outcomes.