Abstract

Over the past 30 years, therapeutic advances have extended the median life span of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Hispanic patients are a vulnerable subpopulation with high of prevalence of risk factors for worse health outcomes. The consequences of these differences on health outcomes have not been well described. The objective of this study is to characterize the difference in health outcomes, including mortality rate, between Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients with CF.Retrospective analysis of CF Foundation patient registry data of California residents with CF, diagnosed during or after 1991, from 1991-2010. Ethnicity was self-reported. Primary outcome was mortality. Hazard ratios were estimated from a Cox regression model, stratified by gender and adjusted for socioeconomic status, clinical risk factors, and year of diagnosis.Of 1719, 485 (28.2%) self-identified as Hispanic. Eighty-five deaths occurred, with an overall mortality rate of 4.9%. Unadjusted mortality rate was higher among Hispanic patients than non-Hispanic patients (9.1% vs. 3.3%, p<0.0001). Compared with non-Hispanic patients, Hispanic patients had lower survival rate 18 years post-diagnosis (75.9% vs. 91.5%, p<0.0001). Adjusted for socioeconomic status and clinical risk factors, Hispanic patients had increased rate of death compared to non-Hispanic patients (HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.70-4.63).Hispanic patients with CF have a higher mortality rate than non-Hispanic patients, even after adjusting for socioeconomic status and clinical severity. Further investigation of mechanism for the measured difference in lung function will help inform interventions and improve the health of all CF patients.

View details for DOI 10.1378/chest.14-2189

View details for Web of Science ID 000369660400021