Abstract
Abstract Background The management of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is complex and involves interdisciplinary care across multiple medical specialties. As a result of this complexity, patients with CHB often do not receive adequate monitoring including HCC surveillance with abdominal ultrasonography (AUS). Previous studies have identified multiple factors associated with decreased HCC surveillance. We aimed to study race and sex disparities in HCC surveillance in patients with CHB during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We performed a single center retrospective cohort study of patients treated for CHB between January 2018 and January 2022 in Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases clinics at our institution. HCC surveillance trends for both sexes were further stratified by 6-month time intervals throughout the study period to compare surveillance during the COVID-19 surge at our region and after the surge. The COVID-19 pandemic surge was defined as time 1/1/2020-6/30/2021. Differences between sex and race were evaluated using the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results A total of 223 adult patient records between January 2018 and January 2022 were evaluated. In total 37% females were adequately screened for HCC in any of the 6-month time frames compared to 26% for males, p >0.05. During the COVID-19 surge, surveillance rates were reduced in both males and females; however, men had significantly reduced HCC screening compared to women (men 38% compared to women 47%, P = 0.011, Figure 1). When comparing COVID-19 HCC screening, stratified by race, 20% Asians, 34% African Americans, and 22% Caucasians were screened by AUS, P = 0.069(Figure 2). Patient Demographics ID, infectious diseases clinic; GI, gastroenterology clinic; SD, standard deviation Conclusion Males received significantly less HCC surveillance compared to females. These differences continued during the COVID-19 pandemic surge. Obtaining appropriate surveillance is important and identifying disparities enables treating physicians to work on measures to mitigate them. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures