OBJECTIVES: To assess gender and racial/ethnic disparities in resource utilization of patients with three lung diseases – pneumonia, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), lung cancer.

METHODS: A retrospective study using the Optum® de-identified Market Clarity Dataset (linked claims and electronic health records or EHR of patients) was done among adult (>=18 years) patients with 2 or more claims and/or EHR with ICD-10 diagnosis code for Pneumonia at least 48 hours apart or ICD-10 diagnosis code for COPD or Lung cancer at least 30 days apart during 1st Jan 2018 to 31st Dec 2021. Index date was defined as the first claim or EHR with Pneumonia/COPD/Lung cancer diagnosis. Only patients with no Pneumonia/COPD/Lung cancer diagnosis in claims or EHR during preceding 12 months from index date were included. All patients were followed-up for 12 months from index date to examine the gender and racial/ethnic disparities in disease-specific resource utilization (pneumococcal or influenza vaccines/ smoking cessation counselling, antibiotics within 2 days of Pneumonia or COPD diagnosis, anti-cancer treatment within 60 days of Lung cancer diagnosis.

RESULTS: In the Pneumonia cohort (n=239,800), significantly fewer males and African Americans received antibiotics within 2 days of 1st diagnosis. In the COPD (n=167,775), significantly greater number of females and Caucasian received Pneumococcal or influenza vaccine during follow up period. In Lung cancer (n=5,957), significantly fewer males and African American received anti-cancer treatment. Significantly higher utilization of Inpatient services observed in African American and male for all three cohort. Further, we will analyze ICU care and clinical outcomes (complications like sepsis, septic shock, acute respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, etc.; re-admission rate, Lung cancer patients that required palliative care) across race, gender, and insurance type.

CONCLUSIONS: There are varied gender and racial/ethnic disparities in resource utilization of acute and chronic lung diseases.