Influence of Race and Ethnicity on the Risk of Peripheral Neuropathy
Research shows that race and ethnicity influence the risk of peripheral neuropathy, with Hispanic populations facing higher odds due to social and economic factors, highlighting health disparities and the need for targeted interventions.
Recent research indicates that race and ethnicity may significantly influence an individual's susceptibility to peripheral neuropathy, a condition characterized by nerve damage that results in burning, tingling, pain, and numbness predominantly in the feet and hands. This neurological disorder can severely impair quality of life and increase risks of falls, infections, and amputations. The most common cause is diabetes-related high blood sugar, which damages nerves, but other factors like autoimmune diseases, injuries, and infections also contribute.
A large-scale study involving over 8,000 participants found notable disparities in neuropathy prevalence among different racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic and Black populations exhibited higher rates of peripheral neuropathy compared to non-Hispanic whites. Even after adjusting for various known risk factors such as age, sex, health parameters (waist circumference, blood pressure, cholesterol), lifestyle factors (physical activity, diet), and social determinants (income, food security, insurance status), Hispanic individuals still faced a 32% increased likelihood of neuropathy. Meanwhile, Black individuals' risk was comparable to that of white individuals once these factors were considered.
The findings revealed that social determinants had a considerable impact on neuropathy risk, particularly for Hispanic groups. Uninsured individuals and those experiencing food insecurity had substantially higher odds of developing the condition, with increased risks of 56% and 48% respectively. These results suggest that social and economic factors may serve as proxies for other underlying risk contributors not fully captured in the study.
The study underlines the importance of considering social disparities in addressing health inequities related to neuropathy. It also emphasizes the need for further research to identify additional social and environmental risk factors, especially within Hispanic communities, to improve prevention and management strategies.
Limitations of the study include reliance on self-reported data for lifestyle behaviors, which may be subject to recall bias. Nonetheless, these insights highlight critical links between social determinants and neurological health, prompting a broader approach to tackling neuropathy disparities.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-ethnicity-play-role-person-peripheral.html
Stay Updated with Mia's Feed
Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Related Articles
Innovative Vaccines Show Promise in Combating Pancreatic Cancer in Preclinical Studies
New vaccine therapies targeting pancreatic cancer show promising results in preclinical studies, offering hope for more effective treatments or prevention methods against this deadly disease.
Personalized Tuberculosis Treatment Strategies Based on Disease Severity Could Enhance Patient Outcomes
New research advocates for tailoring tuberculosis treatment based on disease severity, promising shorter, more effective therapies, and better patient outcomes. Learn how personalized strategies could transform TB care.
Low-Dose Semaglutide Shows Promise in Improving Heart Failure Symptoms Independent of Weight Loss
New research indicates that low-dose semaglutide can improve symptoms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction without significant weight loss, highlighting its potential as a direct cardiovascular therapy.
Novel Target Identified for NRAS-Driven Melanoma via Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen
A groundbreaking genome-wide CRISPR study has identified SHOC2 as a key vulnerability in NRAS-driven melanoma, opening new avenues for targeted therapy in this challenging cancer subtype.