Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities Exist in Patients Pursuing Peanut Oral Immunotherapy

Background Oral immunotherapy (OIT) is a promising treatment for food allergy. Prior studies demonstrate significant differences among food allergic individuals across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic groups. Disparities in OIT have not been evaluated. Objective We assessed disparities in the use of OIT in patients with peanut allergy based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status at a single academic medical center. Methods We identified 1028 peanut allergic patients under 18 years of age receiving care in the University of Michigan food allergy clinics. 148 patients undergoing peanut OIT (treatment group) were compared to the 880 patients avoiding peanut (control group). Pertinent demographic and socioeconomic characteristics were compared. Results There were no differences in gender or ethnicity between the OIT and control groups. However, Black patients comprised 18% of the control group but only 4.1% of the OIT treatment group (p<0.0001). The proportion of patients with private insurance was significantly higher in the treatment group compared to control group, 93.2% vs 82.2% (p=0.0004). Finally, the Neighborhood Affluence Index, a Census-based measure of the relative socioeconomic prosperity of a neighborhood, was significantly higher in the OIT group vs. the control group (0.51±0.18 vs 0.47±0.19) (p=0.015), while the Neighborhood Disadvantage Index, a Census-based measure of the relative socioeconomic disadvantage of a neighborhood, was significantly lower (0.082±0.062 vs 0.10±0.093) (p=0.020). Conclusion Significant racial and economic disparities exist at our institution between peanut allergic individuals who receive OIT and those who do not. Efforts to understand the basis for these disparities are important to ensure patients have equitable access to OIT.