There are many genetic disorders, or diseases that only occur in people of a certain ethnicity. MedlinePlus explains that these diseases occur among people whose ancestry lies in a specific geographical location.
This is because people in the same ethnic group often share versions of genes which were passed down by a common ancestor. Another such diseases have been found in a new study, according to a news release by the American Academy of Neurology.
A new study has found something puzzling: Hispanic people are more likely to develop nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy than white people, and we don’t know exactly why.
Even after looking at well-known health issues, lifestyle choices, and social situations, Hispanic individuals were still 32% more likely to have this condition. Experts believe there might be some unknown social factors at play that we need to discover. Finding these missing pieces is crucial for future research.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy happens when the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord get damaged. This often leads to weakness, numbness, and pain, most commonly in the hands and feet.
It’s been observed that in the United States, Hispanic and Black individuals tend to have higher rates of peripheral neuropathy than white people, but the exact reasons for these differences aren’t yet clear.What the Study Looked At
Researchers examined health information from over 8,000 people. About 13% of them had peripheral neuropathy. The study participants’ average age was 61. The research team considered many factors that can increase the risk of neuropathy, including:
- Age and gender
- Health conditions like waist size, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- Daily habits such as how much they exercise and what they eat
- Social aspects like whether they had enough food, their household income, and if they had health insurance
The study generally found that people with neuropathy were more likely to have diabetes, high blood pressure, a larger waist, and lower income. They also tended to be less physically active.Unexplained Differences Remain
Generally, the study found that individuals with neuropathy tended to have diabetes, high blood pressure, larger waist circumference, and lower incomes. They also reported being less physically active.
When researchers initially adjusted only for age and sex, both Hispanic and Black individuals showed higher odds of peripheral neuropathy compared to white individuals. However, after accounting for all other risk factors, the odds for Black individuals became similar to those of white people. This was not the case for Hispanic individuals, who continued to show an increased risk of peripheral neuropathy even after all other known factors were considered.Role of Social Factors
The study highlighted the significant influence of known social factors on peripheral neuropathy risk among Hispanic individuals. For instance, being uninsured increased their risk by 56%, and experiencing food insecurity raised it by 48%.
Given the growing percentage of Hispanic individuals in the United States, the researchers concluded that future observational studies should prioritize identifying the unmeasured risk factors contributing to peripheral neuropathy in this population