# A Nationwide Retrospective Analysis of Socioeconomic Factors Associated With Eosinophilic Colitis: A Population-Based Study

## TL;DR

This study analyzed nationwide data to find that socioeconomic factors like race, gender, and insurance type are linked to hospitalizations for a rare colon inflammation called eosinophilic colitis.

## Contribution

The study reveals disparities in EC diagnosis and hospitalization based on race, gender, and insurance, highlighting healthcare inequities.

## Key findings

- Males were more likely to be hospitalized for EC than females.
- Caucasians made up the majority of EC cases, followed by African Americans and Hispanics.
- Private insurance was most common among EC patients, suggesting healthcare access disparities.

## Abstract

Eosinophilic colitis (EC) is a rare gastrointestinal inflammation of the colon characterized by eosinophilic infiltration into the colonic wall. The study aimed to assess the socioeconomic factors associated with EC.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the 2016–2020 National Inpatient Sample, including adult patients (≥18 years) admitted with EC.

Among 4353 EC cases identified, males are more likely to be hospitalized than females (51.8% vs 48.2%, P < .001). Caucasians consisted of 81.7% of total cases, followed by African Americans (8.1%), Hispanics (6.3%), and Asians (1.3%) (P < .001). 50.6% of EC cases had Private/Health Maintenance Organization insurance followed by Medicare (26.5%), Medicaid (15.7%), and 7.2% were uninsured (P < .001). Only 16.5% of patients had a Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3.

Caucasians, males, and those with private insurance were more likely to be diagnosed with EC. The correlation between insurance coverage and hospitalizations shows health-care disparities and implies the need for equitable health-care delivery.