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Minorities Are Less Likely to Receive Autologous Blood Transfusion for Major Elective Orthopaedic Surgery

  • Clinical Research
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

A CORR Insights to this article was published on 15 August 2014

Abstract

Background

Surgeons commonly arrange for patients to perform autologous blood donation before elective orthopaedic surgery. Understanding sociodemographic patterns of use of autologous blood transfusion can help improve quality of care and cost containment.

Questions/purposes

We sought to determine whether there were (1) racial disparities, (2) insurance-based disparities, or (3) income-based disparities in autologous blood use. Additionally, we evaluated the combined effect of (4) race and insurance and (5) race and income on autologous blood use, and we compared ratios of autologous with allogeneic blood use.

Methods

Of the more than 3,500,000 patients undergoing major elective orthopaedic surgery identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2008 and 2011, 2.4% received autologous blood transfusion and 12% received allogeneic blood transfusion. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the influence of race, insurance status, and income on autologous blood use.

Results

Compared with white patients, Hispanic patients had lower odds of autologous blood use for elective hip (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69–0.82) and knee arthroplasties (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.67–0.75). Black patients had lower odds of receiving autologous blood transfusion for hip arthroplasty (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.74–0.83). Compared with the privately insured, uninsured and publicly insured patients were less likely to receive autologous blood for total joint arthroplasty and spinal fusion. Patients with low and medium income were less likely to have autologous blood transfusion for total joint arthroplasty and spinal fusion compared with high-level income earners. Even at comparable income and insurance levels with whites, Hispanic and black patients tended to be less likely to receive autologous blood transfusion. Ratios of autologous to allogeneic blood use were lower among minority patients.

Conclusions

Historically disadvantaged populations receive fewer autologous blood transfusions for elective orthopaedic surgery. Whether the differential use is attributable to patient preference or unequal access to this practice should be investigated further.

Level of Evidence

Level II, prognostic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Yawkey Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Suite 2100, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Mariano E. Menendez MD & David Ring MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Mariano E. Menendez MD
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  2. David Ring MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mariano E. Menendez MD.

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Each author certifies that he or she, or a member of his or her immediate family, has no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request.

Each author certifies that his or her institution waived approval for the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.

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Menendez, M.E., Ring, D. Minorities Are Less Likely to Receive Autologous Blood Transfusion for Major Elective Orthopaedic Surgery. Clin Orthop Relat Res 472, 3559–3566 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-014-3793-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-014-3793-5

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