“Study Reveals Racial Disparities in Late-Onset Epilepsy Linked to Stroke Risk”

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A recent study explored the incidence of late-onset epilepsy (LOE) in different racial and ethnic groups in the USA, with a particular focus on the Hispanic population. This is an important topic because stroke is a major factor that can lead to LOE, and previous research has shown that strokes happen more frequently in non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic communities compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) individuals. By analyzing data from the Northern Manhattan Study, researchers sought to understand how LOE rates vary among these groups and whether the impact of stroke on LOE risk changes depending on race or ethnicity.

The study tracked 3,419 older adults who were free from stroke and epilepsy when they started and followed them over a period of 51,176 person-years. During this time, 183 participants developed LOE. The results showed that non-Hispanic Blacks had a higher incidence of LOE (6.2 cases per 1,000 person-years) compared to non-Hispanic Whites (3.3 cases per 1,000 person-years). Interestingly, there was no significant difference in LOE rates between non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics, who had an incidence of 2.6 cases per 1,000 person-years.

However, the risks associated with stroke were notably different across these racial and ethnic groups. For NHWs, experiencing a stroke increased the risk of developing LOE by 2.55 times. In contrast, this risk skyrocketed to 8.53 times for Hispanics and 6.46 times for NHBs. This suggests that stroke is a much stronger predictor of LOE in these communities than in non-Hispanic Whites.

The findings highlight a significant disparity in LOE incidence and underline the importance of understanding how stroke impacts different populations. Particularly in Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black groups, the relationship between stroke and the risk of developing LOE is much more pronounced. This could have implications for healthcare strategies aimed at prevention and treatment, emphasizing the need for targeted approaches in communities that are at higher risk. Understanding these differences could help improve outcomes for people across various racial and ethnic backgrounds.

-- This post was originally published on this site

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