OUTC-11. RACE AND AGE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH ICD-10 DIAGNOSES IN THE POST-OPERATIVE PERIOD FOR PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY BRAIN TUMORS UNDERGOING NEUROSURGERY

Disparities in pediatric cancer care and outcomes are known to exist. This work evaluates the relationship of race, ethnicity, and social determinants of health (SDoH) on the post-operative neurosurgical course of pediatric neuro-oncology patients in a single-institution.

Retrospective data were collected on patients undergoing initial neurosurgery for a primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor between May 2011 and April 2021. Newly attributed ICD-10 codes in the 30-day post-operative period were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate demographics, geographic region of residence, and insurance type. Logistic regression was performed to estimate the association between covariates and 30-day readmission as well as ICD-10 diagnoses that can complicate the postoperative course including cardiac/respiratory, bleeding, infection, wound, hardware implantation, and neurologic conditions. Linear regression was used to measure association of covariates and length of stay (LOS).

A total of 836 patients, median age 10.0 years, were included (n=368 females, 44%). Patients were predominantly white (69%) and non-Hispanic/Latino (88%). White (OR [95% CI] 0.55 [0.33,0.90], p=0.02), Native American/Indian (0.25 [0.07,0.89], p=0.03), and multiracial (0.24 [0.08,0.68], p=0.01) patients were significantly less likely to have new ICD-10 codes compared to Black patients. White patients trended toward shorter LOS (p=0.06) compared to Black patients. Younger patients were significantly more likely to have newly reported ICD-10 codes (0.95 [0.92,0.97], p<0.001), increased LOS (r=-0.59 [-0.87,-0.32], p<0.001), and 30-day readmission (0.81 [0.72,0.89], p<0.001). Sex, ethnicity, insurance type, and region had no significant association with outcomes. Income level analyses are ongoing.

Non-black patients were less likely to have new ICD-10 diagnoses reported after surgery for primary CNS tumors. Older age was a protective factor against new post-operative diagnoses, increased LOS, and mortality. More research is necessary to understand the relationship between race, ethnicity, SDoH and post-operative risk including possible mechanisms of interaction across variables.