Impact of race on care, readmissions, and survival for patients with glioblastoma: An analysis of the National Cancer Database

Background. The objective of this study was to explore racial/ethnic factors that may be associated with survival in patients with glioblastoma by querying the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods. The NCDB was queried for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma between 2004 and 2014. Patient demographic variables included age at diagnosis, sex, race, ethnicity, Charlson-Deyo score, insurance status, and rural/urban/metropolitan location of zip code. Treatment variables included surgical treatment, extent of resection, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, type of radiation, and treatment facility type. Outcomes included 30-day readmission, 30- and 90-day mortality, and overall survival. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate variables associated with race and overall survival. Results. A total of 103 652 glioblastoma patients were identified. There was a difference in the proportion of patients for whom surgery was performed, as well as the proportion receiving radiation, when stratified by race (P < .001). Black non-Hispanics had the highest rates of unplanned readmission (7.6%) within 30 days (odds ratio [OR]: 1.39 compared to White non-Hispanics, P < .001). Asian non-Hispanics had the lowest 30- (3.2%) and 90-day mortality (9.8%) when compared to other races (OR: 0.52 compared to White non-Hispanics, P = .031). Compared to White non-Hispanics, we found Black non-Hispanics (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.88, P < .001), Asian non-Hispanics (HR: 0.72, P < .001), and Hispanics (HR: 0.69, P < .001) had longer overall survival. Conclusions. Differences in treatment and outcomes exist between races. Further studies are needed to elucidate the etiology of these race-related disparities and to improve outcomes for all patients.