Ethnic Differences in Post-Acute Stroke Rehabilitation.

Abstract

To investigate ethnic differences in post-stroke rehabilitation between Mexican American (MA) and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) stroke patients. Prospective cohort study. Community-based in Nueces County, Texas (12/2019-8/2024). Of 1,453 stroke patients, the median age was 66 years, 46% were female, and 66% were MA. None. Stroke patients or their proxies were contacted every two weeks for 90 days post-stroke to identify their rehabilitation provider: inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF), skilled nursing facility (SNF), home health agency (HHA), or outpatient rehabilitation (OP). Binomial regression was used to model the association of ethnicity (MA versus NHW) with IRF as the first rehabilitation provider. Sequential modeling and propensity-score adjustment were used to investigate demographic and clinical variables impacting ethnic disparities. Rehabilitation services were received by 974 patients in the 90 days following stroke; 34% of patients received no rehabilitation for the first two calls. The most common transitions between the first two providers were HHA to home without rehabilitation (14%), IRF to HHA (10%), and IRF to home without rehabilitation (7%). NHW patients had higher IRF usage as the first provider compared with MA patients (NHW vs MA risk difference = 7.4 percent, 95% CI 0.8, 14.0). This difference remained after adjustment for patient and clinical factors (risk difference = 6.5 percent, 95% CI -0.1, 13.0) and was attenuated by 74.6% after further adjustment for socioeconomic status (risk difference = 1.9%, 95% CI -5.2, 9.0). Propensity-score methods implemented in a separate model confirmed a smaller, nonsignificant effect (r.d.=2%, 95% CI=-6, 9) given observed covariates. MA stroke patients are less likely to receive rehabilitation in an IRF as the first provider post-stroke compared with NHW stroke patients. This difference is largely explained by socioeconomic status.