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Racial Disparities in Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review.
Kevin Mo1, Ijezie Ikwuezunma1, Frederick Mun1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Clinical Spine Surgery
|August 22, 2022
Summary
African American (AA) patients experience worse health outcomes in spine surgery compared to White (W) patients, including higher rates of complications, readmissions, and longer hospital stays. Further research into the causes of these racial disparities is needed.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Health Disparities Research
- Systematic Review Methodology
Background:
- Racial disparities in healthcare outcomes are a significant concern.
- Previous studies suggest potential inequities in spine surgery care.
- Synthesizing existing literature is crucial to understand these disparities.
Approach:
- Conducted a systematic review of spine surgery literature.
- Searched major databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science).
- Adhered to Preferred Reporting Items and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Key Points:
- African American (AA) patients faced higher odds of postoperative complications (mortality, CSF leak, infection, etc.) compared to White (W) patients.
- AA patients experienced increased readmissions and longer lengths of stay.
- Racial disparities were observed in treatment approaches, including nonoperative management and surgical techniques.
Conclusions:
- This systematic review confirms that AA patients have worse health outcomes in spine surgery compared to W patients.
- The findings highlight significant racial disparities in spine surgery.
- Further investigation into the root causes of these disparities is warranted.
