Exploring Radiculopathy in Underserved Communities: A Focus on AANHPI Populations and Risk Factors
Anita Cheung1, Matthew Nishimura2, Tea Stephens3, Kai Miyaki4, Edward Weldon5, Julia Jahansooz1, Anson Lee1, Masako Matsunaga6, Jason Chang7, Enrique Carrazana7, Jason Viereck7, Kore Liow8
1John A Burns School of Medicine, 2Pitzer College, 3University of Hawaii, 4Boston Univeristy, 5John A. Burns School of Medicine, 6University of Hawaii at Manoa, 7Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience, 8University of Hawaii, John Burns School of Medicine
Background:
Radiculopathy (RP) is a debilitating nerve compression condition. This study aims to address the paucity of research on RP in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations and to identify differences in clinical presentation, comorbidities, and treatment of AANHPI compared to other ethnocultural groups in Hawaii.
Design/Methods:
This retrospective cohort study utilizes data from a single neurological center in Hawaii. Adults aged ≥18 years diagnosed with RP between 2016-2023 were identified using ICD10 codes. Patients without electromyography, magnetic renaissance imaging, or insufficient demographical data were excluded. Statistical analysis was completed on R, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results:
Data from 1287 out of 1,764 patients are included in the analysis, with 477 excluded. The cohort consisted of 28% Asians and 20% NHPIs. NHPIs had the youngest age of diagnosis, while Asians had the highest age of diagnosis (p<0.001). AANHPI populations were more likely to have public insurance (p<0.001). NHPIs had the highest rates of obesity (p<0.001), while Asians had the lowest (p<0.001). AANHPIs were more likely to have more than two medical comorbidities (p<0.001) and higher rates of hypertension (p<0.001), hyperlipidemia (p<0.001), hypercholesterolemia (p<0.001), and diabetes (p<0.001). AANHPIs were mainly treated with medications and were less likely to have received physical therapy, steroid injections, or surgery (p=0.042)
Conclusions:
AANHPI patients are more likely to be publicly insured, have multiple comorbidities, and are less likely to receive specialized treatments. NHPI are diagnosed earlier and have higher rates of obesity. These findings are important for addressing underlying comorbidities and treatment disparities amongst AANHPI patients.