Abstract
Aim: Previous research suggested that Māori patients have a lower incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) compared to Europeans.5-7 The aim of this study was to re-examine this in the Bay of Plenty (BOP) region of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Method: This retrospective study analysed all computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) scans completed from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2024. Age-standardised rates for CTPA and PE in Māori were calculated using indirect standardisation to the European population.
Results: Of the scans completed, 719 CTPA scans met inclusion criteria. When age standardised, Māori received more CTPAs than Europeans, with an incidence ratio of 1.50 (95% CI [confidence interval] 1.34 to 1.68, p <0.0001). The age-standardised incidence of PE for Māori was 82.0 (95% CI 69.6 to 108) per 100,000 person years, and for Europeans was 87.0 (95% CI 65.1 to 102) per 100,000 person years, with an incidence ratio of 1.06 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.46, p=0.70).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates no ethnic difference in the age-adjusted incidence of PE. These findings suggest that ethnicity should not be used in isolation for clinical decision making. Higher rates of CTPA in Māori suggest an equitable approach to CTPA scan requesting.