Socioeconomic Deprivation and Critical Care: Epidemiology and Prognosis

Abstract

Over the last thirty years, socioeconomic inequalities in health were reinforced. Socioeconomic deprivation affects access to primary care, increases emergency visits, and is associated with more severe diseases and decreased life expectancy. Also, socioeconomic deprivation might influence epidemiology and prognosis of critically ill patients. Data of the literature, mostly based on retrospective studies, show that uninsured patients, homeless patients and those with low socioeconomic status are younger, more likely to be admitted to intensive care unit, more often admitted for medical reason and surgical emergency than for elective surgery and present with different pathologies. While several American studies found that uninsured critically ill patients are less likely to receive invasive procedures, surgery or post-acute care and more likely to die in ICU or in hospital, most European studies show that socioeconomic status is neither associated with level of care nor with mortality. Moreover, most precarious patients have increased length of stay. However, in homeless subgroup, patients living in street experience higher hospital mortality than sheltered patients. As socioeconomic deprivation definition is complex, a prospective study would be helpful to confirm these results and determine if some of its characteristics are associated with prognosis of critically ill patients. Finally, social isolation raises the question of advance directives including living wills and durable powers of attorney.