Providers should make targeted interventions to eliminate racial disparities among total joint arthroplasty patients, according to new research published in the Journal of Arthroplasty.
Researchers conducted a retrospective analysis of 7,208 primary total joint arthroplasty procedures between July 2013 and June 2017. They quantified differences between African-American and white patients and identified race as an independent risk factor. A total of 6,182 white patients and 1,026 African-American patients were included.
The key research details to know:
1. African-American patients were younger and had a longer length of stay than white patients.
2. African-American patients were also more likely to experience septic complications, experience manipulation under anesthesia and be discharged to a facility.
3. Researchers concluded, "[African-American] patients undergoing [total joint arthroplasty] were younger with longer length of stay and a higher rate of non-home discharge; [African-American] race was identified as an independent risk factor. Further study is required to understand the differences identified in this study. Targeted interventions should be developed to attempt to eliminate the disparity."