A NEW study has revealed that patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods are less likely to receive guideline-recommended follow-up care for incidentally detected pulmonary nodules, raising concerns about disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
The study, conducted within a large regional healthcare system, analyzed data from 32,965 patients who had pulmonary nodules ≤30mm identified via CT scans between 2012 and 2016. Researchers used the Neighborhood Deprivation Index to categorize patients into socioeconomic quartiles and assessed adherence to Fleischner Society guidelines for nodule follow-up.
Only 49.6% of patients received follow-up care within the recommended timeframe, with adherence decreasing by 3% in the most socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods compared to the least deprived. Smoking status was another critical factor, with current smokers being 27% less likely to adhere to guidelines than those who had never smoked. Patients with multiple comorbidities, including congestive heart failure, also showed reduced adherence to care recommendations.
“These findings underscore the critical role socioeconomic factors play in access to timely and evidence-based care for pulmonary nodules,” the authors stated.
Timely follow-up of pulmonary nodules is essential for identifying malignancies early and reducing mortality. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions to address barriers faced by socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, ensuring equitable access to high-quality care and improved health outcomes.
Reference
Abrahams JM et al. Neighborhood Level Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Adherence to Guidelines for the Evaluation of Patients with Incidentally Detected Pulmonary Nodules. CHEST. 2024;DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2024.12.011.
Aleksandra Zurowska | AMJ
