RACE/ETHNICITY MATTERS: DIFFERENCES IN POSTSTROKE INPATIENT REHABILITATION OUTCOMES

Objective: To examine racial/ethnic differences in poststroke inpatient rehabilitation outcomes. Design: Cross-sectional and retrospective study of administrative data across 2002-2018. Setting: An inpatient rehabilitation facility in Southern California. Participants: 3,876 racial/ethnic people aged >= 18 years. Main Outcome Measures: Functional Independence Measure (FIM (R)) and discharge disposition. Results: Participants were non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs, 68.5%), Hispanics (17.1%), non-Hispanic Asians (NHAs, 7.4%), and non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs, 6.4%) aged 18-102 years (Mage = 68.47 +/- 14.66 years; MLOS = 19.47 +/- 10.05 days). Above and beyond covariates, multivariate hierarchical regression analyses showed race/ethnicity significantly predicted admission, motor efficiency, and discharge FIM (R) scores. Compared with NHWs, the Hispanic and NHA groups were associated with lower cognitive, motor, and total FIM (R) scores at admission; the NHB group was associated with lower motor efficiency, lower discharge motor and total FIM (R) scores, whereas the Hispanic group was associated with higher discharge total FIM (R) scores. Lastly, Hispanics had higher odds of a discharge home compared with NHWs. Conclusions: Findings suggest racial/ethnic differences exist in poststroke rehabilitation outcomes.