Differences in Inflammation, Treatment, and Outcomes Between Black and Non-Black Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study

Tariq U. Azam, Hanna Berlin, Elizabeth Anderson, Michael Pan, Husam R. Shadid, Kishan Padalia, Patrick O'Hayer, Chelsea Meloche, Rafey Feroze, Erinleigh Michaud, Christopher Launius, Penelope Blakely, Abbas Bitar, Cristen Willer, Rodica Pop-Busui, John M. Carethers, Salim S. Hayek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Racial disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes have been described. We sought to determine whether differences in inflammatory markers, use of COVID-19 therapies, enrollment in clinical trials, and in-hospital outcomes contribute to racial disparities between Black and non-Black patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Methods: We leveraged a prospective cohort study that enrolled 1325 consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19, of whom 341 (25.7%) were Black. We measured biomarkers of inflammation and collected data on the use COVID-19-directed therapies, enrollment in COVID-19 clinical trials, mortality, need for renal replacement therapy, and need for mechanical ventilation. Results: Compared to non-Black patients, Black patients had a higher prevalence of COVID-19 risk factors including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus and were more likely to require renal replacement therapy (15.8% vs 7.1%, P <.001) and mechanical ventilation (37.2% vs 26.6%, P <.001) during their hospitalization. Mortality was similar between both groups (15.5% for Blacks vs 14.0% for non-Blacks, P =.49). Black patients were less likely to receive corticosteroids (44.9% vs 63.8%, P<.001) or remdesivir (23.8% vs 57.8%, P <.001) and were less likely to be enrolled in COVID-19 clinical trials (15.3% vs 28.2%, P <.001). In adjusted analyses, Black race was associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein and soluble urokinase receptor and higher odds of death, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy. Differences in outcomes were not significant after adjusting for use of remdesivir and corticosteroids. Conclusions: Racial differences in outcomes of patients with COVID-19 may be related to differences in inflammatory response and differential use of therapies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)360-368
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Medicine
Volume135
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • African Americans
  • Convalescent serum
  • Coronavirus
  • Corticosteroids
  • Disparities
  • M2C2
  • Remdesivir
  • SARS-COV-2

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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