Work

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Prescription of a Novel Agent in Medical Management of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose To investigate racial and ethnic inequalities in prescription of Netarsudil, one of two anti-glaucoma medications with a novel mechanism to be introduced in the past two decades, among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.Methods This retrospective cohort matched study, based on electronic health records consisting of 92 million patients in the U.S, utilized Propensity Score Match, Relative Risk, Kaplan–Meier survival, and Chi-Square analysis to identify differences in rates of Netarsudil prescribing between racial and ethnic groups (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Other Race, and Hispanic).Results Among the sample of patients that met Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma inclusion criteria (55,942), more White patients were prescribed Netarsudil than Black; (RR:1.24, 95% CI: 1.15-1.34) and Hispanic; (RR:1.63, 95% CI: 1.29-2.07) patients. White patients had higher prescription rates than Black patients in the Midwest (6.5% vs 4.2%; p < 0.0001) and West (11.2% vs 7.1%; p = 0.0002), higher rates than Hispanic patients in the South (4.9% vs. 2.0%; p < 0.0001) and West (11.2% vs. 7.8%; p < 0.008), but lower rates than Black patients in the Northeast (7.2% vs. 13.2%; p < 0.0001).Conclusions Differences in Netarsudil prescription rates within the United States exist between White and Black patients, and White and Hispanic patients. These differences exist when stratified by regions within the U.S. by varying degrees. Future studies are needed to investigate factors contributing to disparities in accessing new medications and to identify ways to eliminate such barriers to improve equity in care of glaucoma patients, especially among those historically disadvantaged.

Source: Ophthalmic Epidemiology

DOI: 10.1080/09286586.2024.2401046

Authors: Andy Kuo, Sophie Yue, David C. Kaelber, Ang Li

Institutions: Case Western Reserve University, MetroHealth, Cleveland Clinic

Language: English

Topic: Glaucoma and retinal disorders

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Cleveland, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences