Do healthcare disparities play a role in pediatric testicular torsion? – Analysis of a single large pediatric center

• Published in: Journal of pediatric urology 2022-04, Vol.18 (2), p.210.e1-210.e7
• Main Authors: Lee, Albert S., Pohl, Hans G., Rushton, H.G., Rana, Md Sohel, Davis, Tanya D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Insurance status; Orchiectomy; Pediatric; Race; Socioeconomic status; Testicular torsion
• ISSN: 1477-5131; 1873-4898
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2022.01.011

Healthcare disparities have been shown to impact outcomes of various acute pediatric conditions. We sought to examine the impact of race, ethnicity and insurance status on the presentation, management and outcome of testicular torsion. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained testicular torsion database was performed. Patients ≤18 years of age evaluated in our pediatric institution's emergency room between April 2016–April 2020 with US diagnosed and OR confirmed testicular torsion were included. Basic demographics, timing of presentation, referral rate, time to OR and orchiectomy rate were extracted and compared. P 24 h). Compared to the Caucasian patients, Black/AA patients were 2.1 years (95% CI: 0.5, 3.8; P = 0.010) older at the time of presentation. When compared to those with Medicaid insurance, uninsured patients had 6.26 times (95% CI: 1.58, 41.88; P = 0.021) higher odds to be referred from an outside hospital for management. In those patients presenting acutely (