Influence of Race and Ethnicity on the Risk of Peripheral Neuropathy

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