Use of cardiovascular procedures among black persons and white persons: A 7-year nationwide study in patients with renal disease

Background: Black persons historically undergo fewer invasive cardiovascula r procedures than white persons. Objective: To determine whether acquisition of Medicare health insurance an d comprehensive care for severe illness reduce ethnic disparity in use of c ardiovascular procedures. Design: 7-year longitudinal analyses in a cohort from the United States Ren al Data System. Setting: Health care institutions in the United States. Patients: Nationwide random sample of 4987 adult black and white patients w ith incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from 303 dialysis facilities in 1986 to 1987. Measurements: Medical history and service use records, physical examination , and laboratory data. Main outcome measures were receipt of a coronary cat heterization or revascularization procedure before (baseline) and after (fo llow-up) development of ESRD and acquisition of Medicare, adjusted for clin ical and socioeconomic variables. Results: At baseline, 9.9% of white patients and 2.8% of black patients had had a cardiac procedure; the odds were almost three times greater in white than in black patients (adjusted odds ratio, 2.92 [95% CI, 2.04 to 4.18]). During follow-up, white patients were only 1.4 times more likely than blac k patients to have a procedure (adjusted relative risk, 1.41 [CI, 1.13 to 1 .77]); rates were 7.8% for white persons and 8.5% for black persons. In pat ients with Medicare coverage before development of ESRD, the initial threef old difference in procedure use was eliminated over follow-up (odds ratio, 1.05 [CI, 0.56 to 1.60]). For procedures after hospital admission for myoca rdial infarction or coronary disease, no difference between ethnic groups w as seen during follow-up (relative risk, 1.12 [CI, 0.68 to 1.85]). Conclusions: Differences between ethnic groups in use of cardiovascular pro cedures narrowed markedly once a serious illness (ESRD) developed and adequ ate insurance coverage was ensured; the disparity was eliminated in patient s with previous Medicare insurance or a stronger indication for a procedure . These findings suggest that almost equal access to care is attainable by combining insurance with delivery of comprehensive, clinically appropriate rare.