Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Peripheral Vascular Disease Admissions Using a Nationally Representative Sample

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Health Disparities Research
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) affects diverse populations.
• Understanding racial and ethnic variations in PVD outcomes is crucial for equitable care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify clinical outcomes and resource utilization differences in patients with PVD based on race and ethnicity.
• To compare inpatient outcomes and costs among Black, Hispanic, and White patients with PVD.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database (2015-2019).
• Inclusion of 622,820 patients admitted with a diagnosis of PVD.
• Comparison of baseline characteristics, inpatient outcomes, and resource utilization across major race and ethnic groups.

Main Results:

• Black and Hispanic patients were younger, had lower median incomes, and incurred higher hospital costs.
• Black patients had higher rates of acute kidney injury, blood transfusion, and vasopressor use, but lower rates of circulatory shock and mortality.
• Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to receive limb-salvaging procedures and more likely to undergo amputation compared to White patients.

Conclusions:

• Significant health disparities in resource utilization and inpatient outcomes exist for Black and Hispanic patients admitted with PVD.
• These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address inequities in PVD care.
• Addressing racial and ethnic disparities is essential for improving PVD patient outcomes across the United States.