Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Use of Regional Anesthesia for Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty

Racial and ethnic differences in acute post-operative pain management: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There are significant racial and ethnic differences in healthcare outcomes, including pain treatment.

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the racial and ethnic differences in acute pain treatment of surgical patients.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases for any studies that reported racial and ethnic minority groups and treating acute postoperative pain. Random-effect meta-analysis was used to compare the odds ratio of receipt of regional anesthesia among racial and ethnic groups.

RESULTS

Non-White patients were 18 % less likely to have regional anesthesia for postoperative pain [OR 0.82 (95 % CI; 0.76, 0.9]. Racial minority groups had lower rates of regional anesthesia-Black patients with OR of 0.93 (95 % CI; 0.91, 0.95); Asian patients with OR of 0.84 (95 % CI; 0.81, 0.87); race indicated as Other with OR of 0.78 (95 % CI; 0.71, 0.86). Only 3 studies reported Native Hawaiian and Alaska Native groups and found higher rates of regional anesthesia. Hispanic patients were 20 % less likely to receive regional anesthesia [OR of 0.8 (95 % CI; 0.72, 0.87)]. Three studies found some differences in opioid administration associated with race and ethnicity. A formal meta-analysis was not possible because of the heterogeneity of follow-up and timepoint comparison.

CONCLUSION

There are racial and ethnic differences in the treatment of acute pain, especially in receipt of regional anesthesia. The most important step forward is the appropriate reporting of racial and ethnic demographic information. Further studies are warranted to understand the process by which differences arise in acute pain management.

Racial Disparities in Pediatric Anesthesia: An Updated Review

Health care disparities affect care across all medical fields, including pediatric anesthesia. Recent studies have revealed differences in pediatric perioperative care especially in anesthetic and analgesic choices. Additionally, Black children face higher 30 day postoperative mortality and more serious adverse events compared to White children. While strategies to address these disparities have been proposed, significant work is still needed.

Utilization and Outcomes of Epidural Anesthesia Versus Regional Anesthesia for Thoracic Surgery: An ACS-NSQIP Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To determine the use of epidural anesthesia compared with regional anesthesia as an adjunct to general anesthesia in thoracic surgery over time, and compare length of stay, overall morbidity, serious morbidity, and mortality between epidural and regional anesthesia when utilized as adjuncts to general anesthesia in thoracic surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project data registry, years 2014 to 2022.

SETTING

Over 800 U.S. hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients over 18 years of age undergoing thoracic surgery (N = 18,433).

INTERVENTIONS

Thoracic surgery with general anesthesia and either epidural or regional anesthesia adjuncts.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Peripheral nerve block utilization increased over time, with a steady increase for patients undergoing lobectomy or pneumonectomy. In propensity score-weighted generalized linear models, patients receiving peripheral nerve blocks had shorter hospital stays relative to those receiving epidurals (3.91 days, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.83, 3.99 v 5.48 days, 95% CI: 5.40, 5.56, p < 0.001), lower odds of serious morbidity (odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI: 0.76, 0.86, p < 0.001), and lower odds of mortality (odds ratio 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.92, p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of peripheral nerve blocks in thoracic surgery increased over time. Patients receiving peripheral nerve blocks, relative to epidural anesthesia, had better outcomes. Future, adequately powered research is needed to evaluate whether findings remain consistent when accounting for other factors (eg, surgical approach, providers, institutions).

Examining Disparities in Regional Anesthesia Utilization, Opioid Prescriptions, and Pain Scores Among Patients Who Received Primary or Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center: A Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most performed surgical operations in the United States. Managing postoperative pain after TKA is of vital importance, as it is positively associated with outcome measures related to recovery of function and quality of life. Two commonly used methods to control postoperative pain are regional anesthesia (RA), consisting of a single or a combination of peripheral nerve and epidural blocks, and pain medication, such as opioids. Our retrospective analysis sought to better understand whether revision versus primary TKA impacted previously discovered disparities in perioperative pain management and use of RA at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System (AVAHCS). Before data collection, we hypothesized that revision TKA would have a higher proportion of Black and older patients and that revision TKA patients would have lower postoperative pain scores.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of AVAHCS patients who underwent elective unilateral primary or revision TKA surgery between 2014 and 2020. After application of our exclusion criteria, data from 562 patients were analyzed. Data collected included demographics information, type of RA used, and pain scores. Statistical analyses included chi-square test, t-tests, multiple logistic regression, and multiple linear regression, as appropriate to the outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

Revision TKA patients were more likely to be Black (P = .018) and younger (P = .023 for <50 years of age group, P = .006 for 50 to 64 years of age compared to the >65 years group). Black patients, compared to White patients, had significantly higher pain scores at baseline (P = .0086) and at 24 hours postsurgery (P = .0037). Older patients (≥50 years old) had significantly higher baseline pain scores (P = .021 for the 50 to 64 years group, P < .01 for the >65 years group) and significantly lower first postanesthesia care unit pain scores (P < .05). Black race (P < .01) and age > 65 years (P < .01) were associated with a significant decrease in total oral morphine equivalents (OME) prescribed at discharge. None of the predictor variables-race, age, type of surgery (primary versus revision), baseline, and first postanesthesia care unit pain scores-were significantly associated with the use of RA in our cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic disparities in pain management have been reported in all healthcare systems, including the VAHCS. This moderately sized retrospective study, conducted at a single veterans affairs site, yielded several noteworthy findings. One finding of particular interest was that, despite Black patients reporting higher baseline and 24-hour postoperative pain scores, they were prescribed fewer opioids at discharge. Our results highlight the presence of clinically significant disparities in perioperative TKA pain management, emphasizing the need for continuous investigation and focused mitigation efforts among Veterans.

Factors associated with the use of regional anesthesia for calcaneal osteotomy in pediatric patients: A single-center, retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Despite known disparities in pediatric perioperative outcomes, few studies have examined factors associated with the use of regional anesthesia for pediatric orthopedic surgery.

AIMS

This investigation aimed to determine if minority and developmental disability status were associated with the allocation of peripheral nerve blocks in calcaneal osteotomy.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of records of patients <18 years who underwent calcaneal osteotomy from 2013 to 2023. Regional technique was classified into three groups: popliteal-sciatic single-shot block, popliteal-sciatic catheter, and no block. Patients were classified as either nonminority (white, non-Hispanic) or minority. Developmental disability status was defined based on medical history and classified as binary. Anesthesiologists were classified as "regional" or "nonregional" based on clinical expertise. A Bayesian hierarchical multinomial model with random intercepts for patients and surgeons was used to investigate the association of minority status, developmental disability, and anesthesiologist expertise with block selection.

RESULTS

We analyzed 287 cases in 225 patients; of these, 55% occurred in minority patients and 28% occurred in patients with developmental disability. Catheters were placed in 45% of cases, single shot blocks in 41%, and no block in 14%. Minority and nonminority patients had a similar likelihood of receiving of any block. Patients with developmental disability had a -22% absolute difference of receiving any block (95% credible interval [-38%, -7%]) compared to those without developmental disability (55% vs. 77%), an effect primarily driven by a lower rate of catheter placement in these children. Regional anesthesiologists were more likely to place catheters (23% absolute increase; 36% vs. 13%) and more likely to perform any block in children with developmental disability (30% absolute increase; 67% vs. 37%) than nonregional anesthesiologists.

CONCLUSIONS

Decision-making surrounding the placement of regional anesthesia techniques is complex. In this study, developmental disability status and anesthesiologist experience were associated with a difference in the use of regional anesthesia in patients undergoing calcaneal osteotomy.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Regional Anesthesia: A Brief Review

Disparities in regional anesthesia may limit patients' access to appropriate care. We reviewed literature from 2013 to 2023 regarding health disparities in regional anesthesia. While there were some exceptions, patients belonging to racial/ethnic minority groups and those with lower socioeconomic status did not receive regional anesthesia as frequently as their White or higher-income peers. As regional anesthesia continues to emerge as a preferred method of managing chronic pain conditions and providing surgical anesthesia, it is essential to ensure that it is provided equitably across the patient population.

Differences in the Receipt of Regional Anesthesia Based on Race and Ethnicity in Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Health equity in pain management during the perioperative period continues to be a topic of interest. The authors evaluated the association of race and ethnicity with regional anesthesia in patients who underwent colorectal surgery and characterized trends in regional anesthesia.

METHODS

Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2015 to 2020, the research team identified patients who underwent open or laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Associations between race and ethnicity and use of regional anesthesia were estimated using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The final sample size was 292,797, of which 15.6% (n = 45,784) received regional anesthesia. The unadjusted rates of regional anesthesia for race and ethnicity were 15.7% white, 15.1% Black, 12.8% Asian, 29.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 16.3% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 12.4% Hispanic. Black (odds ratio [OR] 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90-0.96, p < 0.001) and Asian (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.71-0.80, p < 0.001) patients had lower odds of regional anesthesia compared to white patients. Hispanic patients had lower odds of regional anesthesia compared to non-Hispanic patients (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.68-0.75, p < 0.001). There was a significant annual increase in regional anesthesia from 2015 to 2020 for all racial and ethnic cohorts (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There was an annual increase in the use of regional anesthesia, yet Black and Asian patients (compared to whites) and Hispanics (compared to non-Hispanics) were less likely to receive regional anesthesia for colorectal surgery. These differences suggest that there are racial and ethnic differences in regional anesthesia use for colorectal surgery.

Racial and ethnic disparities in regional anesthesia in the United States: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

Racial and ethnic disparities exist in the delivery of regional anesthesia in the United States. Anesthesiologists have ethical and economic obligations to address existing disparities in regional anesthesia care.

OBJECTIVES

Current evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in regional anesthesia utilization in adult patients in the United States is presented. Potential contributors and solutions to racial disparities are also discussed.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

Literature search was performed for studies examining racial and ethnic disparities in utilization of regional anesthesia, including neuraxial anesthesia and/or peripheral nerve blocks.

FINDINGS

While minoritized patients are generally less likely to receive regional anesthesia than white patients, the pattern of disparities for different racial/ethnic groups and for types of regional anesthetics can be complex and varied. Contributors to racial/ethnic disparities in regional anesthesia span hospital, provider, and patient-level factors. Potential solutions include standardization of regional anesthetic practices via Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways, increasing patient education, health literacy, language translation services, and improving diversity and cultural competency in the anesthesiology workforce.

CONCLUSION

Racial and ethnic disparities in regional anesthesia exist. Contributors and solutions to these disparities are multifaceted. Much work remains within the subspecialty of regional anesthesia to identify and address such disparities.