Objective:

To evaluate how social determinants and patient experiences converge to produce and perpetuate racial and ethnic disparities in osteoarthritis management.

Approach:

• Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis using data from the All of Us Research Program, involving over 16,000 adults with hip osteoarthritis.
• Population: Participants included individuals aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis, categorized by self-reported race/ethnicity.
• Variables: Primary exposure was race/ethnicity; additional variables included age, sex, BMI, education, employment status, income, marital status, and insurance type.

Key Findings:

• Black and Hispanic adults experience greater structural joint damage and symptom severity compared to White adults.
• Despite similar incidence rates, Black patients have higher pain and disability scores.
• Structural barriers and perceptual factors, such as provider trust and communication, contribute to disparities in care access.

Interpretation:

The study examines the intersection of structural and perceptual barriers affecting healthcare access and outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities with hip osteoarthritis.

Limitations:

• The study is cross-sectional and does not establish causal relationships.
• Data may be influenced by self-reporting biases.

Conclusion:

The study identifies barriers and perceptual factors that may inform future research on equitable outcomes in hip osteoarthritis care.