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Prior studies have shown that mortality rates from pulmonary embolism (PE) are higher in black patients than in white patients, but whether the difference is related to a true racial disparity or to other confounding factors is unknown.
Using a Pennsylvania healthcare database, investigators compared 30-day mortality rates in both black and white patients with PE, while adjusting for severity of disease, insurance status, and hospital volume. Included were all patients older than 18 years who were discharged from 2000 through 2002 with a primary diagnosis of PE or a secondary diagnosis of PE and a primary diagnosis representing a PE complication. Severity of disease was determined based on a previously validated prognostic model. The primary…