Race, ethnicity and insurance status can have an impact on the timing of intervention and outcomes after spine surgery, according to two studies that were presented at the North American Spine Society annual meeting.
The first study focused on the disparities based on insurance status in the outcomes after acute spinal cord injury surgery. The researchers examined 2,107 records for patients with acute spinal cord injury who underwent surgical decompression with and without fusion. The researchers found that Medicaid recipients or patients with no insurance had significantly higher adjusted odds of in-hospital death. Medicaid patients were also less likely to receive early intervention, and patients without insurance were likely to receive discharge to rehabilitation.
The study revealed that Medicaid patients had higher pre-existing co-morbidities and sustained more severe spinal cord injuries than other patients. Alcohol abuse and illicit drug use were also more common among Medicaid or uninsured patients.
The second study examined 2,071 patients nationwide with spinal metastases who underwent spinal decompression with or without fusion. The researchers found that minorities were significantly less likely to receive early intervention and African Americans had a significantly higher mortality rate than Caucasians. Hispanics had a significantly higher complication rate than Caucasians. The cohorts varied by tumor pathology and number of co-morbid conditions.
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The study revealed that Medicaid patients had higher pre-existing co-morbidities and sustained more severe spinal cord injuries than other patients. Alcohol abuse and illicit drug use were also more common among Medicaid or uninsured patients.
The second study examined 2,071 patients nationwide with spinal metastases who underwent spinal decompression with or without fusion. The researchers found that minorities were significantly less likely to receive early intervention and African Americans had a significantly higher mortality rate than Caucasians. Hispanics had a significantly higher complication rate than Caucasians. The cohorts varied by tumor pathology and number of co-morbid conditions.
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