Evaluating Socioeconomic, Racial, and Ethnic Disparities in Survival Among Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants

This study was undertaken to monitor potential disparities in survival after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with the aim of optimizing access and outcomes for minority and low-income patients. We analyzed 463 patients transplanted over a 72-month study period with a median 19-month follow-up, focused on differences by individual patient race/ethnicity and patients’ household income derived from geocoded addresses at the census block group level. Patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted from electronic health records and our HSCT registry, including disease category and status, donor age, transplant type, and conditioning. Approximately, 15% of HSCT patients were non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic with a similar proportion from block groups below the median metropolitan Index of Concentration at the Extremes income score. The overall survival probability was 61.8% at 36 months. Non-Hispanic white (63.6%) and especially Hispanic patients (49.2%) had lower survival probabilities at 36 months than non-Hispanic Black patients (75.6%, p = 0.04). There were no other patient characteristics significantly associated with survival at the p < 0.01 level. The lack of significant differences likely reflects the careful selection of patients for transplants. However, the proportion of minority and low-income patients relative to expected disease prevalence in our area population raises important considerations about which patients successfully make it to transplant. We conclude with recommendations to increase the diversity of patients who receive HSCT by reviewing potential barriers in the transplant referral and selection process and advocating for needed psychosocial and community resources.