Racial and sex disparities in utilization rates for shoulder arthroplasty in the United States disparities in shoulder arthroplasty.

Eichinger, Josef K; Greenhouse, Alyssa R; Rao, Meghana V; Gordon, Eric R; Brinton, Daniel; Li, Xinning; Curry, Emily J; Friedman, Richard J · J Orthop · 2019

retrospective_cohort · Level III

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Abstract

To investigate racial disparities in shoulder arthroplasty (SA), accounting for demographic factors such as sex and age. Data for SAs (2011-2014) was queried from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Population-adjusted SA utilization rates, racial and sex differences by age, length of stay, insurer, and comorbidities were calculated. Caucasians aged 45-64 are 54% more likely than African-Americans and 74% than Hispanics to receive surgery. For patients aged 65-84, the disparity is wider for African-Americans and narrower for Hispanics. Policymakers and physicians should focus on further national efforts to alleviate healthcare disparities.

Anatomy