Objective: To study the utilization of healthcare and deep brain stimulation (DBS) in large populations of Black and White patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: Information on the utilization of healthcare and DBS in Black compared with White patients with PD remains sparse, due to limited number and information available in Black patients in healthcare system.

Method: We searched electronic medical records in Black and White patients with PD in our tertiary center between 1/1/2006 and 10/1/2021, followed by chart reviewing and extracting on demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and comprehensive healthcare utilization (including DBS) for analysis.

Results: Of 2827 Black and White patients with PD in electronic records, 1211 were assessed by movement neurologists here, who verified the diagnosis in 882 of them (72.8%). We included 846 patients (95.9%) (Black/White 255/591) for analysis. Compared with White patients, Black patients were older at age of onset, lacked male predominance, had lower socioeconomic status, more smokers, more comorbidities, frequent care in emergency and inpatient settings and slightly shorter survival, but no difference in overall medication use to treat motor and major non-motor symptoms. Importantly, Black patients were less likely to have DBS implanted (adjusted odds ratio 0.29 (95% CI 0.14-0.59, p = 0.001), less likely to accept DBS when indicated (p=0.023), and less likely to be evaluated for DBS candidature (p=0.006), but more likely to have supplementary care, compared with White patients.

Conclusion: The new information found in healthcare utilization, particularly in DBS and supplementary care, in Black compared with White patients reveal new insights to improve healthcare.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/utilization-of-healthcare-and-deep-brain-stimulation-in-black-and-white-patients-with-parkinsons-disease/