Evaluating the Disparate Use of Knee Arthroplasty Among Minorities Using Social Vulnerability Index

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment for advanced osteoarthritis, but disparities in its utilization exist, particularly by gender, race, socioeconomic status, and geography. Social determinants of health may contribute to these disparities. This study examines the rel...

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Main Authors: Manasa Pagadala, BA, Rachel Bergman, MD, T. Jacob Selph, Jr., BS, Patricia Franklin, MD, MPH, MBA, Adam I. Edelstein, MD, Linda I. Suleiman, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Arthroplasty Today
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352344125000895
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author Manasa Pagadala, BA
Rachel Bergman, MD
T. Jacob Selph, Jr., BS
Patricia Franklin, MD, MPH, MBA
Adam I. Edelstein, MD
Linda I. Suleiman, MD
author_facet Manasa Pagadala, BA
Rachel Bergman, MD
T. Jacob Selph, Jr., BS
Patricia Franklin, MD, MPH, MBA
Adam I. Edelstein, MD
Linda I. Suleiman, MD
author_sort Manasa Pagadala, BA
collection DOAJ
description Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment for advanced osteoarthritis, but disparities in its utilization exist, particularly by gender, race, socioeconomic status, and geography. Social determinants of health may contribute to these disparities. This study examines the relationship among the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a measure of social determinants of health, and the likelihood of receiving a surgeon's recommendation for TKA. Methods: This prospective, observational study included 314 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis deemed “appropriate” for TKA based on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Appropriate Use Criteria. Patients were recruited from 4 fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons at a single academic hospital in Chicago. The primary outcome was whether patients received a surgeon recommendation for TKA, analyzed in relation to their SVI. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed, adjusting for patient demographics, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and surgeon factors. Results: Of the 314 patients appropriate for TKA by Appropriate Use Criteria guidelines, 39.2% received a surgeon recommendation. Patients with lower SVI scores were more likely to receive a recommendation (0.6596 vs 0.7556, P = .284). Multivariable analysis showed that lower SVI scores were independently associated with higher odds of a surgeon recommendation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.705, P = .028), particularly in the subcategories of socioeconomic status (OR: 0.754, P = .034) and household characteristics (OR: 0.803, P = .049). Conclusions: Lower SVI scores are associated with increased likelihood of receiving a TKA recommendation, highlighting the impact of social vulnerability on clinical decision-making and the need for further investigation into mitigating biases in surgical decisions.
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spelling doaj-art-c7195dde2dfd43f5840a52403aa3d1052025-08-20T03:24:07ZengElsevierArthroplasty Today2352-34412025-06-013310170210.1016/j.artd.2025.101702Evaluating the Disparate Use of Knee Arthroplasty Among Minorities Using Social Vulnerability IndexManasa Pagadala, BA0Rachel Bergman, MD1T. Jacob Selph, Jr., BS2Patricia Franklin, MD, MPH, MBA3Adam I. Edelstein, MD4Linda I. Suleiman, MD5Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA; Corresponding author. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 401 E Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Tel.: +1 309 732 6317.Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USANorthwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USADivision of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USADivision of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USADivision of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USABackground: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective treatment for advanced osteoarthritis, but disparities in its utilization exist, particularly by gender, race, socioeconomic status, and geography. Social determinants of health may contribute to these disparities. This study examines the relationship among the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a measure of social determinants of health, and the likelihood of receiving a surgeon's recommendation for TKA. Methods: This prospective, observational study included 314 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis deemed “appropriate” for TKA based on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Appropriate Use Criteria. Patients were recruited from 4 fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons at a single academic hospital in Chicago. The primary outcome was whether patients received a surgeon recommendation for TKA, analyzed in relation to their SVI. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed, adjusting for patient demographics, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and surgeon factors. Results: Of the 314 patients appropriate for TKA by Appropriate Use Criteria guidelines, 39.2% received a surgeon recommendation. Patients with lower SVI scores were more likely to receive a recommendation (0.6596 vs 0.7556, P = .284). Multivariable analysis showed that lower SVI scores were independently associated with higher odds of a surgeon recommendation (odds ratio [OR]: 0.705, P = .028), particularly in the subcategories of socioeconomic status (OR: 0.754, P = .034) and household characteristics (OR: 0.803, P = .049). Conclusions: Lower SVI scores are associated with increased likelihood of receiving a TKA recommendation, highlighting the impact of social vulnerability on clinical decision-making and the need for further investigation into mitigating biases in surgical decisions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352344125000895Social vulnerability indexTotal knee arthroplastyHealthcare equityOsteoarthritis
spellingShingle Manasa Pagadala, BA
Rachel Bergman, MD
T. Jacob Selph, Jr., BS
Patricia Franklin, MD, MPH, MBA
Adam I. Edelstein, MD
Linda I. Suleiman, MD
Evaluating the Disparate Use of Knee Arthroplasty Among Minorities Using Social Vulnerability Index
Arthroplasty Today
Social vulnerability index
Total knee arthroplasty
Healthcare equity
Osteoarthritis
title Evaluating the Disparate Use of Knee Arthroplasty Among Minorities Using Social Vulnerability Index
title_full Evaluating the Disparate Use of Knee Arthroplasty Among Minorities Using Social Vulnerability Index
title_fullStr Evaluating the Disparate Use of Knee Arthroplasty Among Minorities Using Social Vulnerability Index
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Disparate Use of Knee Arthroplasty Among Minorities Using Social Vulnerability Index
title_short Evaluating the Disparate Use of Knee Arthroplasty Among Minorities Using Social Vulnerability Index
title_sort evaluating the disparate use of knee arthroplasty among minorities using social vulnerability index
topic Social vulnerability index
Total knee arthroplasty
Healthcare equity
Osteoarthritis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352344125000895
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