Effects of race and socioeconomic status on treatment for localized renal masses in New York City

Urol Oncol. 2022 Feb;40(2):65.e19-65.e26. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2021.11.004. Epub 2021 Dec 6.

Abstract

Introduction: Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the preferred treatment for localized renal masses (LRM), however its use is not uniform across patient socioeconomic (SES) factors. Our hypothesis is that the effect of increased SES on surgical management of LRMs in New York City (NYC) will not be the same for Black and White patients.

Patients and methods: Patients were identified from the New York State Cancer Registry (NYSPACED) treated for LRMs with PN or radical nephrectomy from 2004 to 2016. We identified patients' home neighborhoods through Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMA) in NYSCAPED and used a US Census SES index. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of race and SES on receipt of PN, controlling for age, ethnicity, gender, and diagnosis year.

Results: On unadjusted analyses, patients from higher PUMA SES quartiles were more likely to receive PN (OR = 1.07, P < 0.05), while Black patients were less likely to receive PN as compared to White patients (OR = 0.66, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed a significant interaction between race and SES quartile (interaction P = 0.005) such that the effect of PUMA SES on receipt of PN was modified by race. PN receipt for Black vs. White patients was significantly different within the highest SES quartile (OR = 0.44, P < 0.001), but not within the lowest.

Conclusion: In NYC, patients from higher SES quartile neighborhoods had significantly increased odds for receipt of PN for LRMs. As neighborhood SES quartile increased, White patients were significantly more likely to receive PN, while Black patients were not.

Keywords: Health disparities; Partial nephrectomy; Renal cell carcinoma; Sociodemographics; Treatment choice.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New York City
  • Social Class