Role of Race in Short-Term Outcomes for 1700 Consecutive Patients Undergoing Brain Tumor Resection

Background: Access to medical care seems to be impacted by race. However, the effect of race on outcomes, once care has been established, is poorly understood. Purpose: This study seeks to assess the influence of race on patient outcomes in a brain tumor surgery population. Importance and Relevance to Healthcare Quality: This study offers insights to if or how quality is impacted based on patient race, after care has been established. Knowledge of disparities may serve as a valuable first step toward risk factor mitigation. Methods: Patients differing in race, but matched on other outcomes affecting characteristics, were assessed for differences in outcomes subsequent to brain tumor resection. Coarsened exact matching was used to match 1700 supratentorial brain tumor procedures performed over a 6-year period at a single, multihospital academic medical center. Patient outcomes assessed included unplanned readmission, mortality, emergency department (ED) visits, and unanticipated return to surgery. Results: There was no significant difference in readmissions, mortality, ED visits, return to surgery after index admission, or return to surgery within 30 days between the two races. Conclusion: This study suggests that race does not independently influence postsurgical outcomes but may instead serve as a proxy for other closely related demographics.