In a new study, “Racial Disparities in Mood Stabilizer Prescribing in Mania in Nonpsychotic, Hospitalized Patients With Bipolar I Disorder,” published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, University of California, Irvine School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences researchers observed disparities in how Black and white patients are prescribed treatment for bipolar I disorder.
Health sciences associate clinical professor Dr. Farah Khorassani, health sciences assistant clinical professor Dr. Nana Entsuah-Boateng, postdoctoral scholar Michael Sayer, and assistant professor of clinical pharmacy Dr. Aya Ozaki authored the study.
“Our study highlights racial disparities in bipolar disorder treatment and calls for addressing structural, clinician, and patient-related factors contributing to these preventable differences,” Dr. Entsuah-Boateng stated.
The researchers used a database to analyze information on prescription treatment provided to hospitalized patients who have been newly diagnosed with bipolar I disorder.
“We conducted a study using a large, nationally representative electronic health record (EHR) database to systematically evaluate prescription patterns among hospitalized patients with bipolar I disorder,” explained Dr. Ozaki.
Through this data, the researchers uncovered a bipolar mania management prescribing disparity.
“Black patients are more likely to be prescribed valproic acid derivatives, whereas white patients are more likely to be prescribed lithium,” Dr. Khorassani explained. “Given their similar efficacy, prescribers should be aware of factors that could influence medication choice between these agents.”
The results of this study illuminate an opportunity for clinicians and health systems to evaluate biases and implement measures to close the disparity.
“The next steps are to consider why this disparity exists. There is possible clinician bias in prescribing, so surveying prescribers on rationale for choosing one agent over another could help elucidate things,” said Dr. Khorassani.
Dr. Ozaki added, “Our findings emphasize the critical need for data-driven policy reforms to support more optimized care delivery.”
“There is a need to investigate the underlying causes of prescribing disparities, including systemic barriers and potential prescribing biases, and advocate for continued provider education on racial disparities in mental health care, with the hopes of improving patient-provider trust and patient outcomes,” Dr. Entsuah-Boateng elaborated. “Structural changes, such as diversifying the psychiatric workforce and addressing medical distrust, are needed to promote health equity.”
