S3132 Disparities in Gastric Ulcer Healing: The Impact of Race and Language in a National Inpatient Cohort

Introduction: This retrospective study examines the effects of race and language on the healing rates of gastric ulcers from 2021 to 2024, utilizing inpatient hospital data. By excluding patients who received endoscopic therapy, and using propensity score matching for baseline characteristic alignment, the focus shifts to the role of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and sociodemographic factors in treatment outcomes. This analysis is essential for identifying disparities and improving targeted healthcare approaches. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of inpatient hospital data from 2021 to 2024, focusing on patients diagnosed with gastric ulcers via endoscopy. Those who received endoscopic therapy were excluded. We utilized propensity score matching to align baseline characteristics of the cohort. All participants received 40 mg of PPIs daily for 8 weeks, followed by a repeat endoscopy. The research specifically investigated the influence of race and language on ulcer healing rates, incorporating patient demographics (gender, race, language) and post-treatment outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate healing rates across demographic groups, and logistic regression analyzed the impact of gender and race on healing, including coefficients and P-values to determine statistical significance. Results: This study included 350 patients who underwent pre- and post-endoscopy for gastric ulcer management, exploring the impact of race and language on healing outcomes. Race significantly influenced healing rates, with Hispanics experiencing the lowest rates (P = 0.012). Patients with English as a second language also showed lower healing rates compared to native speakers (P = 0.035). The regression analysis revealed a strong positive association between having English as a first language and healing likelihood (Coefficient = 3.59). Conclusion: The significant differences in ulcer healing rates among racial groups and between English-speaking and non-English-speaking patients highlight systemic disparities in healthcare outcomes. The notably lower healing rates in Hispanics and those for whom English is a second language suggest that sociolinguistic barriers contribute to treatment inequity. These results underscore the necessity for culturally competent care and language-specific interventions to enhance treatment effectiveness and equity in healthcare services, aiming to mitigate the observed disparities in gastric ulcer management.