An Epidemiological Look into Disparities in Merkel Cell Carcinoma Hospitalizations in the United States

Abstract Merkel Cell Carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cutaneous carcinoma with a propensity for metastasis and death. Our study describes the prevalence, sociodemographics and inpatient mortality of Merkel Cell Carcinoma related hospitalizations in the United States from 2011 through 2020. We conducted an observational study using the Nationwide Inpatient sample database, which captures a 20% sample of all hospitalizations in the United States. We utilized the International Classification of Disease Clinical Modification codes from the ninth and tenth revision to identify Merkel Cell Carcinoma and demographic factors. There was a total of 28,809 cases of Merkel Cell Carcinoma in the United States from 2011 to 2020. Merkel Cell Carcinoma was associated with white race (11.4 per 100,000) and disposition of death (26.8 per 100,000). It was most prevalent in the highest quartile income (12.5 per 100,000) and Medicare as primary payer (13.0 per 100,000). Hospitalization was lowest in nonwhite races, particularly NH-Blacks and NH-Others. Inpatient mortality was significantly associated with non-Hispanic other (odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval = 1.38–3.45) and self-pay patients (odds ratio = 2.93, 95% confidence interval 1.84–4.67).This study contributes to reported socio-demographic factors related to Merkel Cell Carcinomas and brings awareness to factors associated with increased hospitalization and inpatient mortality.