Instituut voor Neuropathische Pijn
| The taller, the more change for getting neuropathy |
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The taller you are, the more change you have to get a neuropathy. It was already known that tall people with cancer, treated with chemotherapy have a higher chance on developing (painful) neuropathy. Now based on epidemiological data we know this is a general issue. It is a bit logical, because the taller you are, the longer your nerves are. And long nerves are more vulnerable. Here the story:
Height appeared to have the greatest single impact on accounting for racial disparities in peripheral nerve large fiber function. Height, pack-years smoked and transcutaneous oxygen levels significantly attenuated racial differences in nerve function (P=.2). The OR of small fiber neuropathy was 0.61 (P=.03) for both. Small fiber neuropathy was significantly lower in Indian Asians (32%) than in European whites (43%; P=.03). The effects of ankle brachial pressure index and transcutaneous oxygen levels were statistically significant and independent of each other (P=.02). Sensitivity analysis revealed that racial disparities persisted when the researchers compared small fiber neuropathy in never smokers (n=178; 31% in Indian Asians vs. 52% in European whites; P=.009). Further, BMI significantly accounted for racial disparities in autonomic small fiber function (10.4 in Indian Asians vs. 9.1 in European whites; P=.08). “These data may explain why Indian Asians are protected against diabetic foot ulceration, as sensitivity to trauma via peripheral large fiber function and autonomic neurogenic control of cutaneous blood flow are primary factors in the risk of plantar tissue breakdown and delayed wound healing,” the researchers wrote. In ' Endocrine today', Posted on June 11, 2010Peripheral, autonomic neuropathy less prevalent in Indian Asians vs. European whites. Abbott CA. Diabetes Care. 2010;33:1325-1330. Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, MD, PhD |