National utilization and inpatient safety measures of lumbar spinal fusion methods by race/ethnicity.

background contextDegenerative lumbar conditions are prevalent, disabling, and frequently managed with decompression and fusion. Black patients have lower spinal fusion rates than White patients. PURPOSE: Determine whether specific lumbar fusion procedure utilization differs by race/ethnicity and whether length of stay (LOS) or inpatient complications differ by race/ethnicity after accounting for procedure performed. STUDY

designLarge database retrospective cohort study PATIENT SAMPLE: Lumbar fusion recipients at least age 50 in the 2016 National Inpatient Sample with diagnoses of degenerative lumbar conditions. OUTCOME MEASURES: Type of fusion procedure used and inpatient safety measures including LOS, prolonged LOS, inpatient medical and surgical complications, mortality, and cost.

methodsWe examined the association between race/ethnicity and the safety measures above. Covariates included several patient and hospital factors. We used multiple linear or logistic regression to determine the association between race and fusion type (PLF, P/TLIF, ALIF, PLF + P/TLIF, and PLF + ALIF [anterior-posterior fusion]) and to determine whether race was associated independently with inpatient safety measures, after adjustment for patient and hospital factors.

resultsFusion method use did not differ among racial/ethnic groups, except for somewhat lower anterior-posterior fusion utilization in Black patients compared to White patients (crude odds ratio [OR]: 0.81 [0.67-0.97]). Inpatient safety measures differed by race/ethnicity for rates of prolonged LOS (Blacks 18.1%, Hispanics 14.5%, and Whites 11.7%), medical complications (Blacks 9.9%, Hispanics 8.7%, and Whites 7.7%), and surgical complications (Blacks 5.2%, Hispanics 6.9%, and Whites 5.4%). Differences persisted after adjustment for procedure type as well as patient and hospital factors. Blacks and Hispanics had higher risk for prolonged LOS compared to Whites (adjusted OR Blacks 1.39 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.22-1.59]; Hispanics 1.24 [95% CI 1.02-1.52]). Blacks had higher risk for inpatient medical complications compared to Whites (adjusted OR 1.24 [95% CI 1.05-1.48]), and Hispanics had higher risk for inpatient surgical complications compared to Whites (adjusted OR 1.34 [95% CI 1.06-1.68]).

conclusionsFusion method use was generally similar between racial/ethnic groups. Inpatient safety measures, adjusted for procedure type, patient and hospital factors, were worse for Blacks and Hispanics.