Racial, ethnic, sex, insurance disparities ID'd in acne care

Racial/Ethnic, sex, insurance disparities ID'd in acne care

Racial/ethnic, sex, and insurance-based disparities are seen in acne care, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in JAMA Dermatology.

John S. Barbieri, M.D., from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study to identify potential disparities in acne care. Data were included for 29,928 .

The researchers found that non-Hispanic black patients were more likely to be seen by a dermatologist than non-Hispanic white patients (odds ratio, 1.20), but they received fewer prescriptions for acne medications (incidence rate ratio, 0.89). Compared with non-Hispanic white patients, non-Hispanic black patients were more likely to receive prescriptions for and topical antibiotics (odds ratios, 1.25 and 1.35, respectively) and were less likely to receive prescriptions for oral antibiotics, spironolactone, and isotretinoin (odds ratios, 0.80, 0.68, and 0.39, respectively). The likelihood of being prescribed isotretinoin was higher for versus (odds ratio, 2.44). Patients with Medicaid were less likely than those with commercial insurance to see a dermatologist (odds ratio, 0.46) or to be prescribed topical retinoids, oral antibiotics, spironolactone, and isotretinoin (odds ratios, 0.82, 0.87, 0.50, and 0.43, respectively).

"Our findings suggest the presence of racial/ethnic, sex, and insurance-based disparities in health care use and treatment for acne and raise particular concern for undertreatment among racial/ and female patients," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

More information: Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Journal information: JAMA Dermatology

Copyright © 2020 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Citation: Racial, ethnic, sex, insurance disparities ID'd in acne care (2020, February 6) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-02-racial-ethnic-sex-disparities-idd.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Decision aids may not reduce odds of hip, knee arthroplasty

3 shares

Feedback to editors