There are significant racial and ethnic disparities in the utilization rate and perioperative outcomes of total knee arthroplasty, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery.
Here's what you need to know:
1. The researchers analyzed data from eight states, which included six racial categories for patients: white, black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American and mixed race.
2. Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and mixed-race participants had lower rates of total knee arthroplasty utilization when compared with white participants.
3. The utilization rate of total knee arthroplasty became worse over the years for three groups: black, Hispanic and mixed-race participants.
4. Black, Native American and mixed-race patients also experienced higher rates of adverse health outcomes — including mortality and complications — associated with total knee arthroplasty when compared with white participants.
5. The researchers concluded that while their findings illustrate associations between race and total knee arthroplasty outcomes, "future studies that consider specific patient-level information with psychosocial and behavioral factors are needed."