BACKGROUND: Geographical location is known to affect health outcomes; however, evidence regarding whether location affects healthcare for persons suspected to have vestibular dysfunction is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether location affects healthcare seeking and outcomes for adults with symptoms of vestibular pathology. METHODS: We assessed for regional disparities associated with demographics, diagnosis, chronological factors, and financial expenditures from Americans who participated in the Vestibular Disorders Association registry (N = 905, 57.4±12.5 years, 82.7% female, 94.8% White, and 8.1% Hispanic or Latino). Respondents were grouped per geographical regions defined by the United States Census Bureau. RESULTS: There were no significant between-region differences for age (p = 0.10), sex (p = 0.78), or ethnicity (p = 0.24). There were more Asian respondents in the West versus the Midwest (p = 0.05) and more Black respondents in the South versus the West (p = 0.05). The time to first seek care was shorter in the Northeast (17.3 [SD = 49.5] weeks) versus the South (42.4 [SD = 83.7] weeks), p = 0.015. The time from the first healthcare visit to receiving a final diagnosis was shorter in the Northeast (46.5 [SD = 75.4] weeks) versus the South (68.9 [SD = 89.7] weeks), p = 0.015. Compared to the Midwest, fewer respondents in the Northeast reported 'no' out-of-pocket financial impact, p = 0.039. CONCLUSIONS: Geographical location affects healthcare seeking and outcomes for persons suspected to have vestibular dysfunction.
CITATION STYLE
Souza, W. H., Grove, C. R., Gerend, P. L., Ryan, C., & Schubert, M. C. (2022). Regional differences in patient-reported outcomes as a proxy of healthcare practices for Americans living with vestibular symptoms. Journal of Vestibular Research: Equilibrium and Orientation, 32(6), 541–551. https://doi.org/10.3233/VES-220022
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