Patterns of Vascular Disease in Blacks and Whites

Abstract

Differences between blacks and whites with regard to their affliction with vascular diseases are widely accepted. The purpose of the present study was to examine the demo graphic characteristics of hospitalized patients who had one of several vascular surgical procedures or who were discharged with a vascular related diagnosis in order to compare the relative frequency and relationship of these diagnoses and procedures between the two racial groups. Data regarding race, gender, and age were taken from two sources: the 520-bed regional medical center hospital in North Carolina and the National Inpatient Profile (NIP), which is representative of patients admitted to short-term, nonfederal hospitals. In both the regional hospital data and the national data blacks are underrep resented among patients having carotid endarterectomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, and coronary artery bypass grafting. Conversely, blacks are overrepresented among patients admitted for cerebrovascular accident, hypertensive heart and hyper tensive renal disease, and lower extremity amputation. While one explanation for the differing patterns of vascular disease in whites and in blacks is that there is a genetically based difference in the two groups, there are important weaknesses in this interpretation. The differences may be explained by differing access to medical care, as well as by other complex socioeconomic factors. Prospective, population-based studies of the populations at risk may be required for definitive answer to whether a true difference exists.