A study led by Dr. Marc Delord at King’s College London finds ethnic inequalities in stroke risk are driven by differences in traditional risk factors like diabetes and hypertension, not ethnicity itself, according to research published in BMC Public Health.
The research analyzed electronic health records of more than 650,000 individuals in South London between 2005 and 2021, revealing that Black and Asian patients had higher rates of diabetes and hypertension compared to White patients.
Risk Factors, Not Ethnicity, Drive Disparities
Despite these disparities, the study found no significant difference in stroke progression once patients had these conditions, challenging assumptions about inherent ethnic vulnerability.
We know that stroke occurs more frequently in some ethnic groups,
said Dr. Delord, lead author and Research Fellow in Medical Statistics at King’s College London.
It analyzed primary care electronic records from 41 GP practices in Lambeth, South London, spanning between 2005 and 2021.
Hypercholesterolaemia Presents Unique Challenges
Hypercholesterolaemia, or high cholesterol, did not follow the same pattern.
The researchers used a modelling technique called a ‘multistate analysis’ to study the relationship between ethnicity, cardiometabolic risk factors, and stroke.
Implications for Healthcare Policy
Healthcare providers should prioritize early detection and treatment of diabetes and hypertension, particularly among Black and Asian communities, to address the higher prevalence of these conditions and mitigate stroke risk.
Future studies will explore the interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in stroke vulnerability.
Collaborative efforts between academia, healthcare institutions, and public health agencies will be essential in advancing knowledge of stroke risk factors and developing evidence-based interventions, the researchers added.