Racial disparities in hospitalization characteristics among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and Asian American...

Differences among Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NHPI) and Asian American (AA) subgroups have not been adequately studied in Parkinson's disease (PD).

To determine differences in demographics, comorbidities, and healthcare utilization among NHPI, AA subgroups, and White hospitalized PD patients.

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of Hawai'is statewide registry (2016-2020). Patients with PD were identified using ICD10 code G20 and categorized as White, Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, NHPI, or Other. Variables collected included: age, sex, residence (county), primary source of payment, discharge status, length of stay, in-hospital expiration, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) utilization. Bivariate analyses were performed: differences in age and CCI were further examined by multivariable linear regression and proportional odds models.

Of 229,238 hospitalizations, 2428 had PD (Japanese: 31.3 %, White: 30.4 %, Filipino: 11.3 %, NHPI: 9.6 %, Chinese: 8.0 %). NHPI were younger compared to rest of the subgroups [estimate in years (95 % CI): Whites: 4.4 (3.0-5.8), Filipinos: 4.3 (2.7-5.9), Japanese: 7.7 (6.4-9.1), Chinese: 7.9 (6.1-9.7), p < 0.001)]. NHPI had a higher CCI compared to White, Japanese, and Chinese (p < 0.001). Among AA subgroups, Filipinos were younger and had a higher CCI compared to Japanese and Chinese (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in DBS utilization among subgroups.

NHPI and Filipinos with PD were hospitalized at a younger age and had a greater comorbidity burden compared to other AAs and Whites. Further research, ideally prospective studies, are needed to understand these racial disparities.