National analysis of racial disparities in emergent surgery for colorectal cancer

Background: Racial disparities in access to preoperative evaluation for colorectal cancer remain unclear. Emergent admission may indicate lack of access to timely care. The present work aimed to evaluate the association of admission type with race among patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Methods: All adults undergoing resection for colorectal cancer in 2011–2020 National Inpatient Sample were identified. Multivariable regression models were developed to examine the association of admission type with race. Primary outcome was major adverse events (MAE), including mortality and complications. Secondary outcomes included costs and length of stay (LOS). Interaction terms between year, admission type, and race were used to analyze trends. Results: Of 722,736 patients, 67.6 % had Elective and 32.4 % Emergent admission. Black (AOR 1.38 [95 % CI 1.33–1.44]), Hispanic (1.45 [1.38–1.53]), and Asian/Pacific Islander or Native American (1.25 [1.18–1.32]) race were associated with significantly increased odds of Emergent operation relative to White. Over the study period, non-White patients consistently comprised over 5 % greater proportion of the Emergent cohort compared to Elective. Furthermore, Emergent admission was associated with 3-fold increase in mortality and complications, 5-day increment in LOS, and $10,100 increase in costs. MAE rates among Emergent patients remained greater than Elective with a widening gap over time. Non-White patients experienced significantly increased MAE regardless of admission type. Conclusion: Non-White race was associated with increased odds of emergent colorectal cancer resection. Given the persistent disparity over the past decade, systematic approaches to alleviate racial inequities in colorectal cancer screening and improve access to timely surgical treatment are warranted.