Aetiological embedding of social determinants - How cause of disease mediates socioeconomic disparities in outcomes of laryngotracheal stenosis

Abstract

Aetiological embedding of social determinants. While SES was not directly associated with LTS outcomes, it was associated with cause of disease, a pattern we term the aetiological embedding of social determinants. Low SES was associated with trauma related stenosis (complex surgery needed but favorable decannulation prospects), and high SES with infectious causes (less severe, often managed endoscopically). These findings suggest that social forces may become inscribed in clinical outcomes by shaping disease pathogenesis, though causal interpretation requires caution given observational design and sparse data.