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Racial differences in public perceptions of voluntariness of medical research participants in South Africa.

The reign of apartheid in South Africa was characterized by systematic violation of the human rights of the Black population. Ruling institutions of the country perpetuated and enforced such violations. Consequently, Black South Africans may be apprehensive of scientific research in which the Black population is targeted for participants, regardless of the reason for their being selected. This exploratory study aims to (1) contribute to the relatively limited body of empirical research on the concept of voluntariness and (2) assess racial differences in public perceptions of the voluntariness of medical research participants. We sampled 111 employees from two companies. The sample consisted of 39 Black, 37 Indian, and 38 White participants. A structured questionnaire was used to interview respondents. Results showed that Black respondents scored significantly lower on scores of perceived voluntariness than both Indian and White respondents. These racial differences in perceptions of voluntariness were found to be independent of level of education, knowledge of medical research procedures, and close or personal experience of medical research. Perceptions of voluntariness did not however appear to impact on participants' personal willingness to participate in future research. Implications for recruitment of future health research participants in South Africa are discussed.

Adult↗

Uterine leiomyomas. Racial differences in severity, symptoms and age at diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate racial differences in the presence of leiomyomas, condition severity, associated symptoms and age at diagnosis between black and white hysterectomy patients. STUDY DESIGN: This study included 409 black women and 836 white women aged 18 or older who underwent hysterectomy for noncancerous conditions at 28 hospitals in Maryland. Patients were interviewed shortly before surgery, and hospital records were abstracted after discharge. RESULTS: Overall, 89% of the black women and 59% of the white women were found to have leiomyomas. Among those with a confirmed presurgical diagnosis of leiomyomas, the average age at diagnosis was 37.5 years for black women and 41.6 for white women, and the average age at hysterectomy was 41.7 for black women and 44.6 for white women. The average uterine weight for black women with leiomyomas was 420.8 g and for white women was 319.1 g. Black women were more likely to have seven or more leiomyomas (57%) in comparison to white women (36%). Black women with leiomyomas were more likely to be anemic (56%) than white women (38%) and more likely to report having very severe or severe pelvic pain (59%) than white women (41%). CONCLUSION: Black women having hysterectomy had larger and more numerous leiomyomas, and the leiomyomas were more symptomatic than in white women despite a younger age at diagnosis and hysterectomy.

Adult↗

Racial differences in plasma high-density lipoproteins in patients receiving hemodialysis. A possible mechanism for accelerated atherosclerosis in white men.

Among 346 nondiabetic patients receiving long-term hemodialysis, cardiovascular mortality was higher in white than in black men (P less than 0.02) but was similar between black and white women, despite the higher incidence of nephrosclerosis in black men and women (59 and 58 per cent vs. 8 and 10 per cent, respectively; P less than 0.0001). There were significant racial differences in plasma lipid and apoprotein levels in a subset of 100 of these patients. The white men had higher levels of plasma triglyceride and lower levels of high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, apoprotein A-I, and apoprotein A-II than black men; concentrations of HDL, apoprotein A-I, and apoprotein A-II were also lower in white than in black women. The distribution of the HDL subfractions HDL2, HDL3, and HDL3D, as determined by zonal ultracentrifugation, was normal in black and abnormal in white men receiving hemodialysis. HDL2 concentrations were higher in black than in white men by both zonal analysis (P less than 0.05) and polyanionic precipitation of the HDL subfractions (P less than 0.01). The distributions and concentrations of HDL2 and HDL3L were similar in black and white women. Thus, there are marked racial differences in HDL in male patients receiving hemodialysis. The abnormalities in HDL and the hypertriglyceridemia in the white men may explain their high rate of cardiovascular mortality.

Adult↗

Reasons for racial differences in A & E attendance rates for asthma.

To determine whether racial differences in the severity of asthma accounted for the higher accident and emergency department (A & E) use by Pacific Islanders and Maoris, a study of A & E users at Middlemore Hospital and of asthmatics using urgent medical services was undertaken. Europeans reported more daytime symptoms of asthma (p less than 0.0005) and were on more medications (p less than 0.005) than Pacific Islanders, with Maoris intermediate (ns). Relative to the perceived severity of their asthma, both Maoris and Pacific Islanders lost more time from work or school and used hospital services more than European asthmatics using A & E. The increased use of A & E by Maori and Pacific Island asthmatics seemed not attributable to the intrinsic severity of their asthma and was better explained by ethnic, socioeconomic and sociocultural factors. Pacific Islanders had less self management skills and, like Maoris, were less likely to be on prophylactic medications relative to oral bronchodilator use and these factors likely contributed to their increased morbidity.

Adolescent↗

Racial differences in personality, behavior, and family environment in Minneapolis school children.

Racial differences in personality, behavior, and family environment of lower elementary school children were examined in a sample of 433 black and 897 white children. Numerous significant differences in scores on scales of the Missouri Children's Picture Series, the Missouri Children's Behavior Checklist, and the Family Environment Scale persisted after adjustment for socioeconomic status.

Black or African American↗

Does socioeconomic status explain racial differences in urinary incontinence knowledge?

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to discover whether urinary incontinence knowledge differs between racial/ethnic groups. If incontinence knowledge differs between racial/ethnic groups, is the difference explained by socioeconomic status (SES). STUDY DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 212 women from 3 counties in California were interviewed by telephone. Urinary incontinence knowledge was measured by an Incontinence Quiz. SES was calculated. Race was categorized as white or minority (non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and other). RESULTS: White women scored better than minority women on the Incontinence Quiz (6.16 +/- 2.86 vs 5.46 +/- 2.66, P=.071). Higher SES was significantly associated with higher Incontinence Quiz total score (r=0.177, P=.010). Racial differences in Incontinence Quiz total score no longer trended toward significance after adjusting for SES in multivariable analysis. Race/ethnicity and SES were analyzed for association with each question of the Incontinence Quiz CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic status explains racial differences in total urinary incontinence knowledge. Consideration of socioeconomic status may improve the effectiveness of urinary incontinence educational programs.

Adult↗

Risk factors for transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a primary school outbreak: lack of racial difference in susceptibility to infection.

Recent data have suggested that there are racial differences in the susceptibility to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An opportunity to test this suggestion was afforded by an outbreak of tuberculosis in a racially mixed elementary school in St. Louis County, Missouri. A physical education teacher was discovered to have cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis. Of 343 students in the school, 176 (51 percent) were found to be tuberculin skin test positive (> or = 5 mm induration by Mantoux method); 32 children had abnormal chest radiographs. More frequent contact with the physical education teacher was associated with infection (p < 0.001). Black children were no more likely to be infected than were white children (relative risk (RR) = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-1.22). However, black children who were tuberculin positive had larger skin reactions than did white children (mean, 18.9 vs. 16.6 mm, p < 0.001) and were more likely to have abnormal chest radiographs (RR = 2.76, 95% CI 1.44-5.27). Among tuberculin-positive children, low body mass index (less than 10th percentile) was associated with active disease (RR = 2.90, 95% CI 1.45-5.80). The analysis of race was unchanged after controlling for sex, body build, and level of contact with the physical education teacher. Widespread tuberculous infection resulted from contact with a highly infectious staff person. Thin body build was a risk factor for active disease. Black children were no more susceptible to infection than were white children, although they more commonly developed radiographic evidence of active disease.

Adult↗

Comparison of palpebral fissure obliquity in three different racial groups.

PURPOSE: To compare the obliquity of the palpebral fissures of three different racial populations. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Frontal views of the palpebral fissures of three different groups of subjects (Brazilian whites, Brazilian Japanese, and Brazilian Indians from the Upper Rio Negro Basin of the Amazonas State) were acquired with a photographic camera and transferred to a Macintosh computer. Using the National Institutes of Health Image software (NIH Image), the angle formed by the inner and the outer canthi was measured for all images. RESULTS: The mean fissure angle of the Japanese (9.39 degrees) was not statistically different from the mean angle of the Indians (9.64 degrees). On the other hand, both were significantly greater than the mean angle of the whites (4.60 degrees). CONCLUSIONS: Marked fissure obliquity is found more frequently among Asians than among whites.

Adolescent↗

Racial differences in accuracy of self-assessment of sexual maturation among young black and white girls.

PURPOSE: To examine the validity of maturation self-assessments and to investigate the association between race and validity of self-assessments among young black and white girls. METHODS: Self-assessments and examiner-assessments of areolar and pubic hair development using line drawings were compared at three visits among a cohort of 11- to 14-year-old girls enrolled in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Growth and Health Study. Accuracy rates and kappa coefficients were calculated to measure the agreement between girls and examiners. Logistic regression models were used to assess the racial differences in the accuracy of self-assessments while adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS: Fair to moderate agreement was found between self- and examiner-assessments (areolar self-assessments: adjusted accuracy rates: 60.7-69.9%, kappa: 0.32-0.51; pubic hair self-assessments: adjusted accuracy rates: 57.9-70.7%, kappa: 0.36-0.55). While there were indications of racial differences in the ability to perform self-assessment with black girls tending to self-assess less accurately, most of the differences disappeared after adjusting for nurse-assessed stage. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that self-assessment can substitute for examiner evaluations only when crude estimates of maturation are needed. However, when accurate maturation stage data are required, examiner-assessments are necessary. Because black girls are usually more pubertally advanced and tend to underestimate their development, the value of self-assessment is questionable for assessing populations with young black and white girls. Use of self-assessment might present biased estimates of maturation and confound research findings.

Adolescent↗

Racial differences in drug response: isoproterenol effects on heart rate following intravenous metoprolol.

Healthy young black men and white men received single intravenous doses of metoprolol (0.07 mg/kg) or participated in an isoproterenol sensitivity study before and after metoprolol (0.07 mg/kg followed by 50 micrograms/min) in a randomized, crossed-over fashion. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. The dose of isoproterenol versus change in heart rate response curves were constructed, and comparisons of dose ratio, ED50, Emax, and Ka, with the apparent association constant for metoprolol binding to beta 1-receptors, were made. There were no pharmacokinetic differences observed between the groups. The predicted Emax for the black group was 52.7 +/- 8.7 beats/min at a metoprolol concentration of 29.8 +/- 6.1 ng/ml, which was higher (p less than 0.05) than that in the white group, i.e., 43.7 +/- 7.3 beats/min at a concentration of 27.6 +/- 9.1 ng/ml. There were no differences in dose ratio, ED50, or Ka. The racial differences in beta 1-receptor responses to exogenous isoproterenol following metoprolol can simply be explained by an increase in beta 1-receptor activity in the black subjects, assuming homogeneity in cardiac beta 2-receptor responses.

Adult↗

Racial differences in diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in a national population of veterans.

OBJECTIVE: To determine racial differences in the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and risk of mortality in a national health care system. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A longitudinal cohort study was conducted in 429,918 veterans with diabetes. Racial minority groups were analyzed for baseline differences in prevalence of early diabetic nephropathy, diabetic end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and CVD, and longitudinal risk of mortality compared with Caucasians. RESULTS: The 429,918 patients identified with diabetes were of the following racial groups: Caucasian (56.2%), African American (15.3%), Asian (0.5%), Native American (0.4%), and unknown race (21.4%). Minority individuals were, on average, younger and less likely to have CVD but were more likely to have renal disease than Caucasians. After adjustment for age, sex, and economic status, African Americans (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.3, 95% CI 1.2-1.4) and Native Americans (1.5, 1.1-2.1) were more likely to have early diabetic nephropathy than Caucasians. Diabetic ESRD was more likely to be present in African Americans (1.9, 1.9-2.0), Hispanics (1.4, 1.3-1.4), Asians (1.8, 1.5-2.1), and Native Americans (1.9, 1.5-2.3) than Caucasians. Concurrently, the adjusted OR of CVD in racial minority groups was 27-49% less than in Caucasians, whereas the 18-month risk of mortality among people from most racial minority groups was 7-12% lower than in Caucasians. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that when access to care is comparable, microvascular complications, macrovascular disease, and subsequent death occur with different frequencies among various racial groups.

Adult↗

Racial differences in lens opacities: the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) project.

The purpose of this study was to determine racial differences in the prevalence of different types of lens opacities and cataract surgery. Between 1993 and 1995, the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) Project enrolled a representative sample of 2,520 community-dwelling persons aged 65-84 years in Salisbury, Maryland, 26.4% of whom were African-American. Participants received a full eye examination, and photographs were taken for documentation of lens status. Photographs were graded using a standardized grading system for the presence of cortical, nuclear, or posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) opacification in at least one eye. The odds of having cortical opacities were 4.0 times greater among African Americans than among Caucasians (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3-4.8). Caucasians were significantly more likely to have nuclear opacities (odds ratio = 2.1, 95% CI 1.7-2.6) and PSC opacities (odds ratio = 2.5, 95% CI 1.7-3.6). The odds of cataract surgery were 2.8 times higher among Caucasians, but these differences did not explain the differences in the prevalence of different types of lens opacities by racial group. With lower rates of nuclear and PSC opacities than Caucasians, African Americans may have a lower demand for cataract surgery. However, even with these differences, there is still significant unnecessary loss of vision due to cataract among older African Americans, for whom programs to ensure access to surgical care are indicated.

Aged↗

[The racial differences of plasminogen A gene (PLG* A) frequencies].

The present authors investigated racial differences of PLG* A frequencies by literature search. From the results of these investigations it was seen that the frequency of Mongoloids was higher than those of Negroids and Caucasoids, and the frequency of Negroids and that of Caucasoids was almost equal. There is a great variation in the distribution of PLG* A in Negroid and Caucasoid populations. Further studies are necessary to obtain more data regarding PLG* A frequency.

Asian People↗

Racial differences in operating characteristics of prostate cancer screening tests.

PURPOSE: We evaluated racial differences in the operating characteristics of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and digital rectal examination as screening tests for early detection of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened 18,527 white and 949 black men 50 years old or older using serum PSA measurement and digital rectal examination. We recommended biopsies if either test was suspicious for cancer. For PSA greater than 4.0 ng./ml. and rectal examination we calculated relative sensitivity (percentage of men with cancer who had a positive test), specificity (percentage of men without cancer who had a negative test) and positive predictive value (percentage of men with a positive test in whom cancer was detected) for the prediction of prostate cancer stratified by race. RESULTS: In white and black men PSA greater than 4.0 ng./ml. detected more cancers than rectal examination (p < 0.002) with a trend for a greater increase in sensitivity in black men. PSA was associated with fewer false-positives than rectal examination in white (p < 0.0001) but not in black (p > 0.05) men. Positive predictive value for prostate cancer of PSA and rectal examination was greater in black than in white men (48 versus 34 and 38 versus 22%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PSA detects more cancers than rectal examination in both races, although this advantage is more pronounced in black men. In white men PSA yielded fewer false-positive results than rectal examination. However, PSA had more false-positive results than rectal examination in black men. Cancer was detected in a higher percentage of black men with PSA greater than 4.0 ng./ml. and, therefore, the risk of cancer associated with PSA greater than 4.0 ng./ml. differs by race. In a screening setting the widely accepted 25 to 30% positive predictive value for PSA greater than 4.0 ng./ml. may only apply to white men. A higher risk estimate of 36 to 60% is more accurate in black men.

Black People↗

Racial differences in cardiac structure and function in essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To assess racial differences in cardiac structure and function in patients presenting with previously untreated hypertension. DESIGN: Untreated black patients with hypertension were compared with untreated white patients matched for age and sex. Both groups had similar body mass indices, blood pressures, and reported duration of hypertension. SETTING: Cardiovascular risk factor clinic for outpatients. SUBJECTS: 36 men and 22 women with untreated essential hypertension. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Variables of heart structure and function on cross sectional and Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: The black patients had a significantly greater interventricular septal thickness (mean 1.23 (95% confidence interval 1.14 to 1.33) v 1.09 (1.02 to 1.16) cm; P = 0.02) and posterior wall thickness (mean 1.14 (1.07 to 1.22) v 0.96 (0.88 to 1.03) cm; P = 0.001) than the white patients, although left ventricular internal diameter was not significantly different (mean 4.90 (4.68 to 5.12) v 4.82 (4.64 to 5.01) cm; P = 0.59). This resulted in a significantly greater left ventricular mass index (mean 151 (137 to 164) v 120 (107 to 133) g/m2; P = 0.001) and relative wall thickness (mean 0.47 (0.43 to 0.51) v 0.40 (0.37 to 0.42) cm; P = 0.004) in the black patients. Comparison of Doppler measures of left ventricular diastolic function showed a significantly longer isovolumic relaxation time in black patients (mean 107 (98 to 116) v 92 (83 to 101) ms; P = 0.02) compared with white patients, although peak early to atrial filling ratios were similar in both groups (mean 1.14 (0.95 to 1.32) v 1.04 (0.94 to 1.15); P = 0.37). CONCLUSION: Among previously untreated hypertensive patients, black subjects compared with white subjects have significantly higher left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness, as well as more impairment of left ventricular function during diastole.

Adult↗

The reasons for geographic and racial differences in stroke study: objectives and design.

The REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study is a national, population-based, longitudinal study of 30,000 African-American and white adults aged > or =45 years. The objective is to determine the causes for the excess stroke mortality in the Southeastern US and among African-Americans. Participants are randomly sampled with recruitment by mail then telephone, where data on stroke risk factors, sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychosocial characteristics are collected. Written informed consent, physical and physiological measures, and fasting samples are collected during a subsequent in-home visit. Participants are followed via telephone at 6-month intervals for identification of stroke events. The novel aspects of the REGARDS study allow for the creation of a national cohort to address geographic and ethnic differences in stroke.

Black or African American↗

Ethnic differences in stroke: black-white differences in the United States population. SECORDS Investigators. Southeastern Consortium on Racial Differences in Stroke.

The US Black (African-American) population has a higher stroke incidence and mortality than the US White population. This article reviews the English language literature relating to observed racial and ethnic differences in stroke mortality, incidence, and risk factors. In addition, Black-White differences in stroke subtype, pathophysiology, outcome, recurrence, and treatment are reviewed. The significance of these racial and ethnic differences and directions for future research are explored.

Adult↗

Racial differences in bumetanide-sensitive cotransport and N-ethylmaleimide-stimulated potassium efflux.

Racial differences in erythrocyte potassium effluxes mediated by two loop-diuretic sensitive modes of cotransport were compared. In red cells loaded to contain approximately equimolar amounts of sodium and potassium, black subjects had lower bumetanide-sensitive sodium-dependent net potassium effluxes as compared to whites. In fresh, washed erythrocytes pretreated with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), maximal net potassium efflux was greater in blacks than in whites. NEM-stimulated potassium efflux was partially inhibited by bumetanide but only at very high concentrations. The quantitative differences in these two modes of potassium efflux suggest that NEM-stimulated potassium efflux is not an altered mode of sodium-dependent potassium efflux.

Biological Transport↗