Racial Disparities in Surgical Outcomes of Acute Diverticulitis: Have We Moved the Needle?

INTRODUCTION

There has been increasing national attention on reducing healthcare disparities. Prior studies cite worse surgical outcomes and less use of laparoscopy for Black patients with diverticulitis. Re-evaluation of these disparities is lacking despite national initiatives to improve health equity. This study aimed to evaluate the association of race with short-term outcomes and surgical approaches in patients with acute diverticulitis.

METHODS

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who underwent nonelective surgery for acute diverticulitis from 2015 to 2019. Severity of presentation, morbidity, mortality, surgical approach, and ostomy creation were compared by race.

RESULTS

Of the 13,996 patients included in the study, 82.4% were White, 7.6% were Black, 1.1% Asian, 0.61% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 0.20% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NH/PI). Overall 30-day morbidity was 44.3% and 30-day mortality was 3.9%. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, compared to Whites, Black race was independently associated with higher 30-day morbidity (Odds Ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.43, P = 0.003) and NH/PI race was independently associated with higher mortality (Odds Ratio: 5.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.32-21.6, P = 0.019). There was no difference in complicated disease (abscess or perforation), use of laparoscopy, or ostomy creation among races.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite national efforts to achieve equity in healthcare, disparities persist in surgical outcomes for those with diverticulitis. Black and NH/PI race are independently associated with increased morbidity and mortality, respectively. Use of laparoscopy, however, is no longer different by race suggesting some gaps may be closing.