Variations in Presentation and Management of COVID-19 Inpatients by Race and Ethnicity in a Large Texas Metroplex

Alison Liu, Akshat Patel, Ava Pierce, Ray Fowler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess variations in presentation and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across race/ethnicity at a large Texas metroplex hospital. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Results: Although COVID-19 patients demonstrated significant socioeconomic disparities, race/ethnicity was not a significant predictor of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (P = 0.067) or case fatality (P = 0.078). Hospital admission varied by month, with incidence among Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino patients peaking earlier in the pandemic timeline (P < 0.001). Patients reporting Spanish as their primary language were significantly more likely to be admitted to the ICU (odds ratio, 1.75; P = 0.007). Conclusions: COVID-19 patients do not demonstrate significant racial/ethnic disparities in case fatality, suggesting that state-wide disparities in mortality rate are rooted in infection risk rather than hospital course. Variations in admission rates by race/ethnicity across the timeline and increased ICU admission among Spanish-speaking patients demonstrate the need to pursue tailored interventions on both a community and structural level to mitigate further health disparities throughout the pandemic and after.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere21
JournalDisaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 12 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • healthcare disparities
  • minority health
  • socioeconomic factors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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