%0 Journal Article
%T Barriers to elective cholecystectomy following emergency department discharge for symptomatic cholelithiasis.
%A Gazzetta J
%A Orjionwe R
%A Fesmire A
%A Craft S
%A Esry L
%A Gazzetta E
%A Benedict LA
%A Nix S
%J Am J Surg
%V 238
%N 0
%D 2024 Jul 9
%M 39067082
%F 3.125
%R 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2024.115837
%X BACKGROUND: Patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis are often discharged from the Emergency Department (ED) and asked to follow-up for elective cholecystectomy. We aimed to identify the social determinants of health (SDOH) that serve as barriers to elective cholecystectomy and to assess the associated impact on patient outcomes.
METHODS: We conducted a multi-institutional, retrospective cohort study of patients discharged from the ED with symptomatic cholelithiasis. Univariable logistic regression was used to assess for variables associated with re-presenting to the ED rather than for elective cholecystectomy. P values < 0.05 identified significance.
RESULTS: Univariate analysis identified lack of a primary care physician, Black race, self-pay, language other than English as the primary language, and unemployed status to be independently associated with re-presentation to the ED for biliary disease.
CONCLUSIONS: Socially disadvantaged populations would benefit from surgery at the time of presentation to the ED versus being sent home for elective follow-up.