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COVID-19

Racial and Ethnic Differences in COVID-19 Associated Septic Shock Outcomes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research from Texas Tech University has found significant racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes for COVID-19 associated septic shock, a severe and potentially deadly form of sepsis. The study, conducted using the National Inpatient Sample (2020-2021), analyzed data from over 396,795 hospitalizations and found that Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic populations were more likely to experience severe outcomes, including higher in-hospital mortality, mechanical ventilation use, and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic populations were younger and had greater comorbidity burdens than Non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients.
  • Compared to NHW patients, NHB and Hispanic patients had higher in-hospital mortality (aOR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.15-1.27), mechanical ventilation use (aOR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.12-1.27), and acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (aOR = 1.16, 95%CI: 1.07-1.25).
  • Adjusted multivariable logistic regression accounted for demographics, comorbidities, hospital characteristics, and in-hospital events.
  • The study concluded that future research is needed to identify the causes of observed differences in complications and to inform targeted strategies that may mitigate modifiable risk factors and optimize early detection of organ failure.

Statistics:

  • 396,795 weighted hospitalizations were analyzed in the study.
  • Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) patients accounted for 25.3% of hospitalizations, while Hispanic patients accounted for 30.4%.
  • The study found that NHB and Hispanic patients were younger than NHW patients, with a age range of 18-64 years.
  • NHW patients had significantly lower comorbidity burdens compared to NHB and Hispanic patients.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New COVID-19 Study Findings Recently Were Reported by Researchers at Texas Tech University (Racial and ethnic differences in COVID-19-associated septic shock). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. September 21, 2025; p 183.
  • World Journal of Critical Care Medicine, 2025;14(3):108296.

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