RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN UNDERLYING CO-MORBIDITIES IN COVID-19 ADMISSIONS WITHIN A LARGE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

ABSTRACT

SESSION TITLE Studies on COVID-19 Infections Posters SESSION TYPE Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON 10/18/2022 0130 pm - 0230 pm PURPOSE: Some co-morbidities and racial/ethnic groups are associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes. Is there a statistically significant difference in baseline characteristics and co-morbidities among racial and ethnic groups? This question was explored in a descriptive study among patients admitted to Hartford HealthCare. METHODS: A retrospective review of 7049 patients admitted with COVID-19 within the Hartford HealthCare (HHC) System from Feb 23, 2020 to July 15, 2021 was performed via the COVID-19 Research Registry at HHC (an IRB approved registry of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 within HHC). Racial and ethnic categories were compared using chi-square test and multiple column proportions were compared using Bonferroni method. RESULTS: The cohort was comprised of 52% males with an average age of 65 years (SD=17). 20% were non-survivors. Race was reported as 61% White, 22% Other, 13% African American (AA), 2% Asian, 2% Grouped Races (including American Indian, Pacific Islander, refused or unknown). 23% of the cohort reported their ethnicity as Hispanic. The “Other” racial group is comprised of 87% Hispanic ethnicity. A significantly higher proportion of White was >80 years old (30%) as compared to AA (13%), Asian (11%) and Other (13%) categories. No difference in gender distribution was noted. White had increased proportions of CAD (23%) as compared to Grouped and Other groups (10-20%) and COPD (15%) and atrial fibrillation (19%) as compared to all groups (4-10%). A higher proportion of AA had obesity (15%) as compared to Asian and White groups (4-13%) and hypertension (59%) and heart failure (21%) as compared to Asian, Grouped and Other groups (39-52%, 6-14% respectively). AA also had a higher proportion of CKD (42%) as compared to all groups (18-35%). Those in the Other category (87% Hispanic) had increased proportion of diabetes mellitus (41%) as compared to all groups (23-29%) except AA and asthma (16%) compared to all groups (6-12%). A significantly higher proportion of Asian was on private insurance (42%) as compared to all groups (19-23%) except Grouped Races and had lower proportions or no statistically significant difference in co-morbidities. Highest proportion of Other was on Medicare/Medicaid (80%), followed by White (77%), AA (76%), Grouped Races (66%) then Asian (57%). CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive study found statistically significant differences in age, co-morbidites and insurance status among racial/ethnic groups admitted with COVID-19 at HHC. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Studies have shown disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minorities. Review of our hospitalized cohort shows that perhaps it is not race itself, but rather a complex interaction between patient factors and social determinants of health that likely plays a an essential role. A more complete study looking at the social determinants of health and its impact on COVID-19 mortality would be helpful to direct community interventions. DISCLOSURES No relevant relationships by Jyoti Chhabra No relevant relationships by Jeffrey Mather No relevant relationships by Hnin Hnin Oo No relevant relationships by Oscar Serrano No relevant relationships by Joseph Tortora