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Use of Cardiovascular Procedures among Black Persons and White Persons: A 7-Year Nationwide Study in Patients with Renal Disease
- Gail L. Daumit, MD;
- Judith A. Hermann, MLA;
- Josef Coresh, MD, PhD; and
- Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA
- From Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
Abstract
Background: Black persons historically undergo fewer invasive cardiovascular procedures than white persons.
Objective: To determine whether acquisition of Medicare health insurance and comprehensive care for severe illness reduce ethnic disparity in use of cardiovascular procedures.
Design: 7-year longitudinal analyses in a cohort from the United States Renal Data System.
Setting: Health care institutions in the United States.
Patients: Nationwide random sample of 4987 adult black and white patients with incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from 303 dialysis facilities in 1986 to 1987.
Measurements: Medical history and service use records, physical examination, and laboratory data. Main outcome measures were receipt of a coronary catheterization or revascularization procedure before (baseline) and after (follow-up) development of ESRD and acquisition of Medicare, adjusted for clinical and socioeconomic variables.
Results: At baseline, 9.9% of white patients and 2.8% of black patients had had a cardiac procedure; the odds were almost three times greater in white than in black patients (adjusted odds ratio, 2.92 [95% CI, 2.04 to 4.18]). During follow-up, white patients were only 1.4 times more likely than black patients to have a procedure (adjusted relative risk, 1.41 [CI, 1.13 to 1.77]); rates were 7.8% for white persons and 8.5% for black persons. In patients with Medicare coverage before development of ESRD, the initial threefold difference in procedure use was eliminated over follow-up (odds ratio, 1.05 [CI, 0.56 to 1.60]). For procedures after hospital admission for myocardial infarction or coronary disease, no difference between ethnic groups was seen during follow-up (relative risk, 1.12 [CI, 0.68 to 1.85]).
Conclusions: Differences between ethnic groups in use of cardiovascular procedures narrowed markedly once a serious illness (ESRD) developed and adequate insurance coverage was ensured; the disparity was eliminated in patients with previous Medicare insurance or a stronger indication for a procedure. These findings suggest that almost equal access to care is attainable by combining insurance with delivery of comprehensive, clinically appropriate care.
Article and Author Information
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Disclaimer: The data reported here have been supplied by the U.S. Renal Data System. The interpretation and reporting of these data are the responsibility of the authors and in no way should be seen as an official policy of or interpretation by the U.S. government.
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Acknowledgments: The authors thank Marie Diener-West, PhD, and Kevin D. Frick, PhD, for their advice on statistical issues.
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Grant Support: By the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program; National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases grant RO1DK47797; and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute grant 5T32HLO7024.
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Requests for Reprints: Neil R. Powe, MD, MPH, MBA, Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 2024 East Monument Street, Suite 2-641, Baltimore, MD 21205; e-mail, npowe{at}jhsmi.edu.
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Current Author Addresses: Drs. Daumit, Hermann, Coresh, and Powe: Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 2024 East Monument Street, Suite 2-641, Baltimore, MD 21205.
- Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
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