Alison Liu1, Akshat Patel1, Ava Pierce1,2,3, Ray Fowler1,2,3. 1. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. 2. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Parkland Health and Hospital Systems, Dallas, TX.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess variations in presentation and outcomes of COVID-19 across race/ethnicity at a large Texas metroplex hospital. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Although COVID-19 patients demonstrated significant socioeconomic disparities, race/ethnicity was not a significant predictor of 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 (OR: 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.
OBJECTIVE: To assess variations in presentation and outcomes of COVID-19 across race/ethnicity at a large Texas metroplex hospital. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: Although COVID-19patients demonstrated significant socioeconomic disparities, race/ethnicity was not a significant predictor of ICU admission (p=0.067) or case fatality (p=0.078). Hospital admission varied by month, with incidence among Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latinopatients 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 (OR: 1.75, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS:COVID-19patients 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.