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Racial Differences in Short-term Surgical Outcomes Following Surgery for Diverticulitis

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

Diverticular disease ranks as one of the more common gastrointestinal disorders among westernized nations. Few studies have examined racial differences in the care and surgical outcomes of diverticulitis. The aim of this study was to determine if race is a predictor of peri-operative morbidity and mortality following surgery for diverticulitis.

Methods

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005–2008) was queried with the primary dependent variables being 30-day morbidity and mortality. Differences in morbidity and mortality between races were compared using χ 2 and Student t tests. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios for morbidity and mortality. To determine if the effect of race is modified by insurance status and case complexity, additional models were developed across age subgroups (<65 vs ≥65) and levels of case complexity.

Results

We identified 4,709 white and 360 African American patients. Despite being younger (57.6 ± 0.74 vs 59 ± 0.2, p < 0.05), African Americans were more likely to present with hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, dependent functional status, American Society of Anesthesiology class ≥3 (all p < 0.0001) and were more likely to require urgent surgery (p < 0.05), intra-operative blood transfusions(p < 0.0001), and undergo open colectomy (p < 0.0001). On adjusted analysis, African American race emerged as an independent predictor of morbidity (p < 0.05) and mortality (p < 0.05), without differences across insurance categories and less complex procedures. African American race remained a strong predictor of morbidity in more complex procedures (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

African Americans undergoing surgery for diverticulitis are more likely to have associated co-morbidities, require urgent surgery, undergo open surgery, and are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. These findings highlight a need to address the root cause for disparities in care and outcomes after surgery.

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ACS NSQIP Disclosure

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) and the participating hospitals are the sources of data used for this article; they have not verified and are not responsible for the statistical validity of the data analysis or the conclusions derived by the authors. This article represents the personal viewpoint of the authors and does not represent official ACS NSQIP policy.

Presentation

The findings of this study were read at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons in Vancouver, BC, May14–18, 2011

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Karim Alavi, J. A. Cervera-Servin, Paul R. Sturrock, W. B. Sweeney & Justin A. Maykel

  2. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center, 67 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA

    Karim Alavi

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  1. Karim Alavi
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  2. J. A. Cervera-Servin
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Correspondence to Karim Alavi.

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Alavi, K., Cervera-Servin, J.A., Sturrock, P.R. et al. Racial Differences in Short-term Surgical Outcomes Following Surgery for Diverticulitis. J Gastrointest Surg 16, 613–621 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-011-1787-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-011-1787-0

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