J Orthop. 2019 May-Jun; 16(3): 195–200.

Racial and sex disparities in utilization rates for shoulder arthroplasty in the United States disparities in shoulder arthroplasty

Josef K. Eichinger,a,∗ Alyssa R. Greenhouse,a Meghana V. Rao,a Eric R. Gordon,a Daniel Brinton,a Xinning Li,b Emily J. Curry,b and Richard J. Friedmana

Shoulder

Purpose

To investigate racial disparities in shoulder arthroplasty (SA), accounting for demographic factors such as sex and age.

Methods

Data for SAs (2011–2014) was queried from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Population-adjusted SA utilization rates, racial and sex differences by age, length of stay, insurer, and comorbidities were calculated.

Results

Caucasians aged 45–64 are 54% more likely than African-Americans and 74% than Hispanics to receive surgery. For patients aged 65–84, the disparity is wider for African-Americans and narrower for Hispanics.

Conclusions

Policymakers and physicians should focus on further national efforts to alleviate healthcare disparities.

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