Aims Race significantly affects colon preparation quality for colonoscopies, a vital procedure
for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer. Various racial groups experience disparities
in the effectiveness of this procedure. This overview examines how cultural differences,
healthcare access, and personal health behaviors contribute to variations in colonoscopy
outcomes. Understanding these factors is crucial for healthcare providers and policymakers
to mitigate disparities in colorectal cancer prevention and to promote equitable access
to essential screenings.
Methods Colonoscopy records from 2010-2023 were retrospectively collected. Data included
colonoscopy report, Gender, Race, Poor Colon Prep quality, Socio-Economic Status,
and Insurance status., Chi-squared tests were conducted to identify statistically
significant associations between poor colon prep outcomes and categorical variables:
race, socioeconomic status, and insurance status. A Logistic Regression analysis was
carried out to assess the combined impact of multiple factors on poor colon prep.
The results were interpreted based on p-values, coefficients, and confidence intervals
obtained from statistical tests. The significance level was set at 0.05 for all tests.
Results Our study analyzed 3330 individuals who underwent colonoscopies from 2010-2023, with
a composition of 64% females. Racial demographics included 24.2% Hispanic, 48% White,
15% Black, 6% Asian, and 3% Other. The results indicate significant racial impact
on poor colon prep (Chi-square=40.78, p<0.01). Among races, Hispanics have poor outcomes
(p=0.023). Similarly, lower socioeconomic status was strongly correlated with inadequate
preparation (Chi-square≈20.86, p≈0.00011), and lack of insurance was linked to poor
outcomes (Chi-square≈15.48, p≈0.000083).
Conclusions Our study on race and colonoscopy preparation reveals significant disparities in
colon prep quality among racial groups influenced by socio-economic status and insurance
coverage. The study finds race, low socio-economic status, and lack of insurance significantly
affect colon prep outcomes. While acknowledging its limitations, this study emphasizes
the need for healthcare professionals and policymakers to consider these demographic
factors, aiming for equitable colorectal cancer screening and prevention.
