Racial disparity in postoperative complications following shoulder arthroplasty (SA): A systematic review and meta-analysis

There has been an emphasis on racial disparities in orthopedic surgery. Recently, literature suggested Black and Hispanic patients at increased risk for adverse outcomes after Shoulder Arthroplasty (SA), but data regarding it is sparse and inconclusive. Therefore, we aim to conduct a meta-analysis to assess the role of racial disparity in causing adverse outcomes after SA. Following PRISMA guidelines, electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were queried. Studies meeting inclusion criteria were included. Results were analyzed by pooling Odds ratios along 95% Confidence interval, using random-effects model on RevMan 5.3. A total of 14 selected studies evaluated 1,781,783 patients. We found Black patients at higher risk of post-SA complications than White patients (OR 1.32(95% CI 1.25–1.39; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%). No significant risk in Hispanics compared to white patients (OR 0.94(95% CI 0.81–1.09); p = 0.41; I2 = 65%). Compared to whites, black patients were at higher risk of an extended length of stay, postoperative blood transfusion, sepsis, venous thromboembolism, and non-home discharge. Compared to white patients, Hispanics were at higher risk for postoperative blood transfusion. Whites showed increased risk for readmission. Following SA, Black patients were likely to develop complications compared to White patients but no significant risk in Hispanics compared to Whites.