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Rural-urban outcome differences associated with COVID-19 hospitalizations in North Carolina

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Listed:
  • Sheri Denslow
  • Jason R Wingert
  • Amresh D Hanchate
  • Aubri Rote
  • Daniel Westreich
  • Laura Sexton
  • Kedai Cheng
  • Janis Curtis
  • William Schuyler Jones
  • Amy Joy Lanou
  • Jacqueline R Halladay

Abstract

People living in rural regions in the United States face more health challenges than their non-rural counterparts which could put them at additional risks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Few studies have examined if rurality is associated with additional mortality risk among those hospitalized for COVID-19. We studied a retrospective cohort of 3,991 people hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infections discharged between March 1 and September 30, 2020 in one of 17 hospitals in North Carolina that collaborate as a clinical data research network. Patient demographics, comorbidities, symptoms and laboratory data were examined. Logistic regression was used to evaluate associations of rurality with a composite outcome of death/hospice discharge. Comorbidities were more common in the rural patient population as were the number of comorbidities per patient. Overall, 505 patients died prior to discharge and 63 patients were discharged to hospice. Among rural patients, 16.5% died or were discharged to hospice vs. 13.3% in the urban cohort resulting in greater odds of death/hospice discharge (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1, 1.6). This estimate decreased minimally when adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, payer, disease comorbidities, presenting oxygen levels and cytokine levels (adjusted model OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0, 1.5). This analysis demonstrated a higher COVID-19 mortality risk among rural residents of NC. Implementing policy changes may mitigate such disparities going forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheri Denslow & Jason R Wingert & Amresh D Hanchate & Aubri Rote & Daniel Westreich & Laura Sexton & Kedai Cheng & Janis Curtis & William Schuyler Jones & Amy Joy Lanou & Jacqueline R Halladay, 2022. "Rural-urban outcome differences associated with COVID-19 hospitalizations in North Carolina," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(8), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0271755
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271755
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    1. Ben Lennox Kail & Miles G Taylor & Nick Rogers & Jessica Kelley, 2020. "Double Disadvantage in the Process of Disablement: Race as a Moderator in the Association Between Chronic Conditions and Functional Limitations," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 75(2), pages 448-458.
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