Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO855

High Prevalence and Inequities in Unmet Social Risk in Diverse Urban Patients on Hemodialysis

Session Information

• Race, Ethnicity, and Gender in Kidney Health and Care
  October 24, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health

• 900 Diversity and Equity in Kidney Health

Authors

• Tan, Wenchy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States

Wenchy Tan, MD, MS

• Wen, Huei Hsun, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States

Huei Hsun Wen, MD, MS

• Wang, Lin-Chun, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Lin-Chun Wang, MS

• Dong, Zijun, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Zijun Dong

• Tisdale, Lela, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Lela Tisdale

• Thijssen, Stephan, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Stephan Thijssen, DrMed

• Kotanko, Peter, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States

Peter Kotanko, MD, FASN

• Nadkarni, Girish N., Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States

Girish N. Nadkarni, MD, MPH

• Chan, Lili, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States

Lili Chan, MD, MS

Background

Health-related social risks (SR) are associated with adverse health outcomes amongst patients with kidney disease. We aimed to identify and analyze SR in a diverse population of hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods

We prospectively surveyed SR related to insecurity of housing, food, transportation, and utilities in HD patients from five New York centers, using the AHC Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool (AHC-HRSN). The presence of unmet SR was compared across self-reported race/ethnicity. Patient demographics (age, gender, education level, employment status, marital status, and income) were assessed for their association with the odds of having any unmet SR using logistic regression. A two-tailed p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Among 324 consented patients, 144 (44%) had at least one unmet SR (Fig. 1A). Food insecurity differed significantly across race/ethnicity groups (p = 0.017). While lower proportions of Whites reported experiencing any unmet SR (35%) compared to Hispanics (63%), Blacks (59%), and Asians (43%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.097). Having a college degree or above (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.410 – 0.996) and older age (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.967 – 0.996) were each associated with significantly lower odds of having any SR (Fig. 1B). No significant association was observed between SR and gender, employment status, and marital status after adjusting for patient demographics (Fig. 1C).

Conclusion

This study uncovered disparities in SR factors across different demographic categories, including race/ethnicity and education levels. The overall high burden of unmet SR indicates a need for improved screening and referrals.

Funding

• NIDDK Support