Abstract Details

Title Identifying Racial Disparities in Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes in Neurosarcoidosis

Topic Health Care Disparities

Presentation(s) P3 - Poster Session 3 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 4-012

Background There is currently limited knowledge on treatment and diagnosis of NS, and even less research on differences in clinical presentation within minorities. Current literature substantiates worse outcomes for Black patients with sarcoidosis compared to White.

Objective To identify race-related clinical differences between Black and White neurosarcoidosis (NS) populations.

Design/Methods This retrospective review collected data on patients with definite or probable NS between 01/01/2010 to 03/31/2023 in the greater Houston area. Clinical characteristics, diagnostics, and outcomes were analyzed between Black/African Americans (B/AA) and White/Caucasians (W/C). Descriptive analyses were completed using Pearson Chi-Square for bivariate variables with means and medians for continuous.

Results A total of (n=55) patients were identified to have NS (Black = 63.6% vs White = 36.4%; n=35 vs n=20). Black patients were more likely to present with focal weakness than White (Black = 62.9% vs White = 20%; n=22 vs n=4; p = .002). Blacks were found to have a higher number of hospitalizations from NS (Black = 75.8% vs White = 24.2%; n=25 vs n=8; p = .023). Number of readmissions within 72 hours of discharge were also significant (Black = 100% vs White = 0%; n=8 vs n=0; p = .02). Number of abnormal magnetic resonance images (MRI) were significantly higher in Black patients (Black = 70.2% vs White = 29.8%; n=33 vs n=14; p = .038). Overall, Blacks presented with significantly higher mean Modified Rankin Score (mRS) at presentation (Black = 2.15 vs White = 1.6; p = 0.034).

Conclusions Our analyses found that Black patients had significantly higher incidence of NS along with focal weakness, abnormal MRIs, hospitalizations, readmissions, and Modified Rankin Scores (mRS). The elevated rate of disability and abnormal MRIs in Blacks at initial encounter suggests greater disease severity at presentation. Further investigation is required to better understand causes of these disparities and their external validity.

Authors/Disclosures
Rajesh K. Gupta, MBBS (UTHealth) PRESENTER	Dr. Gupta has nothing to disclose.
Laya Rao (Villas at Hermann Park)	Ms. Rao has nothing to disclose.
Sienna Wu	Ms. Wu has nothing to disclose.
John A. Lincoln, MD, PhD (McGovern Medical School, UTHealth)	The institution of Dr. Lincoln has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Sanofi-Genzyme. Dr. Lincoln has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Biogen. The institution of Dr. Lincoln has received research support from Deaprtment of Defense. The institution of Dr. Lincoln has received research support from National Institutes of Health. The institution of Dr. Lincoln has received research support from EMD-Serono. Dr. Lincoln has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
John W. Lindsey, MD (University of Texas Health Science Center At Houston)	Dr. Lindsey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genentech. Dr. Lindsey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Banner Life Sciences. Dr. Lindsey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for TG Therapeutics. Dr. Lindsey has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Mapi. Dr. Lindsey has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Teva. The institution of Dr. Lindsey has received research support from Genentech.
Gautam Sikka	No disclosure on file
Shitiz K. Sriwastava, MBBS (UT Health Houston)	Dr. Sriwastava has nothing to disclose.
Ashutosh K. Gupta (McGovern Medical school)	Mr. Gupta has nothing to disclose.