The impact of the social construct of race on outcomes among bacille Calmette-Guérin-treated patients with high-risk non-muscle–invasive bladder cancer in an equal-access setting

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to describe bladder cancer outcomes as a function of race among patients with high-risk non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in an equal-access setting. Methods: A total of 412 patients with high-risk NMIBC who received bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2015, were assessed. The authors used the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate event-free survival and Cox regression to determine the association between race and recurrence, progression, disease-specific, and overall survival outcomes. Results: A total of 372 patients who had complete data were included in the analysis; 48 (13%) and 324 (87%) were Black and White, respectively. There was no difference in age, sex, smoking status, or Charlson Comorbidity Index by race. White patients had a higher socioeconomic status with a greater percentage of patients living above the poverty level in comparison with Black patients (median, 85% vs 77%; P