Racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgery

Abstract Objectives Racial disparities persist despite attempts to establish an egalitarian framework for surgical care. This study aimed to investigate racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following surgery for head and neck tumors. Methods This retrospective study included adult p...

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Main Authors: Usama Waqar, Aahan Arif, Ayesha N. Hameed, Syeda M. A. Zaidi, Muhammad Hamza, Haissan Iftikhar, Huma Naz, Syed A. Abbas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-03-01
Series:World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/wjo2.178
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author Usama Waqar
Aahan Arif
Ayesha N. Hameed
Syeda M. A. Zaidi
Muhammad Hamza
Haissan Iftikhar
Huma Naz
Syed A. Abbas
author_facet Usama Waqar
Aahan Arif
Ayesha N. Hameed
Syeda M. A. Zaidi
Muhammad Hamza
Haissan Iftikhar
Huma Naz
Syed A. Abbas
author_sort Usama Waqar
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objectives Racial disparities persist despite attempts to establish an egalitarian framework for surgical care. This study aimed to investigate racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following surgery for head and neck tumors. Methods This retrospective study included adult patients who underwent head and neck oncologic surgery between 2008 and 2020 from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to explore the association of the following racioethnic categories with postoperative outcomes: White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. Results A total of 113,234 patients were included in the study, comprising 78.3% White, 8.7% Black, 6.9% Hispanic, and 6.0% Asian patients. Black patients had higher rates of pre‐existing comorbidities compared to White patients. Specifically, the rates of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (19.8% vs. 12.4%), hypertension (57.5% vs. 41.5%), smoking history (18.8% vs. 15.0%), dyspnea (7.4% vs. 5.7%), and preoperative anemia (43.6% vs. 36.5%) were higher among Black patients. On regression analyses, Black race was not associated with major morbidity following head and neck oncologic surgeries (odds ratio, 1.098, 95% confidence interval, 0.935–1.289) when compared to White patients. However, there were significant associations between the comorbidities associated with the Black race and an increased risk of major morbidity. Conclusions Black patients undergoing head and neck oncologic surgery face a significant challenge due to a higher burden of comorbidities. These comorbidities, in turn, have been found to be associated with postoperative major morbidity.
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spelling doaj-art-01a19170fa6b4d358aabf700fbae38512025-08-20T01:58:17ZengWileyWorld Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery2095-88112589-10812025-03-01111748510.1002/wjo2.178Racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgeryUsama Waqar0Aahan Arif1Ayesha N. Hameed2Syeda M. A. Zaidi3Muhammad Hamza4Haissan Iftikhar5Huma Naz6Syed A. Abbas7Medical College Aga Khan University Karachi PakistanMedical College Aga Khan University Karachi PakistanMedical College Aga Khan University Karachi PakistanMedical College Aga Khan University Karachi PakistanMedical College Aga Khan University Karachi PakistanFellow Rhinology and Skull Base, Department of Surgery University Hospitals Birmingham Birmingham UKGastroenterology and Surgery Service Line Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi PakistanSection of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi PakistanAbstract Objectives Racial disparities persist despite attempts to establish an egalitarian framework for surgical care. This study aimed to investigate racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following surgery for head and neck tumors. Methods This retrospective study included adult patients who underwent head and neck oncologic surgery between 2008 and 2020 from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to explore the association of the following racioethnic categories with postoperative outcomes: White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian. Results A total of 113,234 patients were included in the study, comprising 78.3% White, 8.7% Black, 6.9% Hispanic, and 6.0% Asian patients. Black patients had higher rates of pre‐existing comorbidities compared to White patients. Specifically, the rates of comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (19.8% vs. 12.4%), hypertension (57.5% vs. 41.5%), smoking history (18.8% vs. 15.0%), dyspnea (7.4% vs. 5.7%), and preoperative anemia (43.6% vs. 36.5%) were higher among Black patients. On regression analyses, Black race was not associated with major morbidity following head and neck oncologic surgeries (odds ratio, 1.098, 95% confidence interval, 0.935–1.289) when compared to White patients. However, there were significant associations between the comorbidities associated with the Black race and an increased risk of major morbidity. Conclusions Black patients undergoing head and neck oncologic surgery face a significant challenge due to a higher burden of comorbidities. These comorbidities, in turn, have been found to be associated with postoperative major morbidity.https://doi.org/10.1002/wjo2.178comorbidityethnic and racial minoritieshead and neck neoplasmshealthcare disparitiespostoperative complications
spellingShingle Usama Waqar
Aahan Arif
Ayesha N. Hameed
Syeda M. A. Zaidi
Muhammad Hamza
Haissan Iftikhar
Huma Naz
Syed A. Abbas
Racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgery
World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
comorbidity
ethnic and racial minorities
head and neck neoplasms
healthcare disparities
postoperative complications
title Racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgery
title_full Racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgery
title_fullStr Racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgery
title_full_unstemmed Racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgery
title_short Racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgery
title_sort racioethnic disparities in comorbidities and outcomes following head and neck oncologic surgery
topic comorbidity
ethnic and racial minorities
head and neck neoplasms
healthcare disparities
postoperative complications
url https://doi.org/10.1002/wjo2.178
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