December 2nd 2023.
A study presented at a conference for the Radiological Society of North America revealed a worrying difference in average age when imaging tests for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias were administered to Black, White, and Hispanic patients.
The research found that Black patients received computed tomography, head CT angiography, and brain MRI tests for cognitive impairments at an average age of 72.5 years, while White and Hispanic patients received imaging at 67.8 and 66.5 years, respectively. Other races averaged 66.7 years old.
This study was comprised of 1,624 patients, including 697 Black or African Americans, 377 whites, 275 Hispanic or Latinos, and 275 patients of other races.
Dr. Joshua Wibecan, lead author of the study and a radiology resident at Boston Medical Center, said that the two main findings of this study were that Black patients were significantly older than patients from other races when they received imaging tests for cognitive impairment, and were also significantly less likely to be imaged with MRI (the optimal type of imaging for cognitive impairment) as opposed to CT.
The disparities in accessing imaging could be one reason for the later diagnoses in Black patients. Wibecan suggested that it is important to identify this issue and figure out possible solutions that will benefit these patients and prevent a delayed diagnosis.
The results of the study are alarming when considering that Blacks are twice as likely to develop dementias than their White counterparts, according to research from the National Institute on Aging. This further highlights the importance of providing Black patients with access to the imaging tests they need in order to receive a timely diagnosis.
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