N Sallah, T Carstensen, K Wakeham, R Bagni, N Labo, M O Pollard, D Gurdasani, K Ekoru, C Pomilla, E H Young, S Fatumo, G Asiki, A Kamali, M Sandhu, P Kellam, D Whitby, I Barroso, R Newton
{"title":"Whole-genome association study of antibody response to Epstein-Barr virus in an African population: a pilot.","authors":"N Sallah, T Carstensen, K Wakeham, R Bagni, N Labo, M O Pollard, D Gurdasani, K Ekoru, C Pomilla, E H Young, S Fatumo, G Asiki, A Kamali, M Sandhu, P Kellam, D Whitby, I Barroso, R Newton","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2017.16","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2017.16","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infects 95% of the global population and is associated with up to 2% of cancers globally. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels to EBV have been shown to be heritable and associated with developing malignancies. We, therefore, performed a pilot genome-wide association analysis of anti-EBV IgG traits in an African population, using a combined approach including array genotyping, whole-genome sequencing and imputation to a panel with African sequence data. In 1562 Ugandans, we identify a variant in <i>human leukocyte antigen</i> (<i>HLA</i>)-<i>DQA1</i>, rs9272371 (<i>p</i> = 2.6 × 10<sup>-17</sup>) associated with anti-EBV nuclear antigen-1 responses. Trans-ancestry meta-analysis and fine-mapping with European-ancestry individuals suggest the presence of distinct <i>HLA</i> class II variants driving associations in Uganda. In addition, we identify four putative, novel, very rare African-specific loci with preliminary evidence for association with anti-viral capsid antigen IgG responses which will require replication for validation. These findings reinforce the need for the expansion of such studies in African populations with relevant datasets to capture genetic diversity.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"2 ","pages":"e18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2017-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870407/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10661052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S Allcock, E H Young, M Holmes, D Gurdasani, G Dougan, M S Sandhu, L Solomon, M E Török
{"title":"Erratum: Antimicrobial resistance in human populations: challenges and opportunities - ERRATUM.","authors":"S Allcock, E H Young, M Holmes, D Gurdasani, G Dougan, M S Sandhu, L Solomon, M E Török","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2017.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2017.12","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1017/gheg.2017.4.].</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"2 ","pages":"e16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2017.12","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10846989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A L Barr, E H Young, L Smeeth, R Newton, J Seeley, K Ripullone, T R Hird, J R M Thornton, M J Nyirenda, S Kapiga, C A Adebamowo, A G Amoah, N Wareham, C N Rotimi, N S Levitt, K Ramaiya, B J Hennig, J C Mbanya, S Tollman, A A Motala, P Kaleebu, M S Sandhu
{"title":"The need for an integrated approach for chronic disease research and care in Africa.","authors":"A L Barr, E H Young, L Smeeth, R Newton, J Seeley, K Ripullone, T R Hird, J R M Thornton, M J Nyirenda, S Kapiga, C A Adebamowo, A G Amoah, N Wareham, C N Rotimi, N S Levitt, K Ramaiya, B J Hennig, J C Mbanya, S Tollman, A A Motala, P Kaleebu, M S Sandhu","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.16","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2016.16","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the changing distribution of infectious diseases, and an increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases, low- and middle-income countries, including those in Africa, will need to expand their health care capacities to effectively respond to these epidemiological transitions. The interrelated risk factors for chronic infectious and non-communicable diseases and the need for long-term disease management, argue for combined strategies to understand their underlying causes and to design strategies for effective prevention and long-term care. Through multidisciplinary research and implementation partnerships, we advocate an integrated approach for research and healthcare for chronic diseases in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36193208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S Cuschieri, J Vassallo, N Calleja, N Pace, J Mamo
{"title":"Diabetes, pre-diabetes and their risk factors in Malta: a study profile of national cross-sectional prevalence study.","authors":"S Cuschieri, J Vassallo, N Calleja, N Pace, J Mamo","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.18","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Type 2 diabetes mellitus constitutes a global epidemic and a major burden on health care systems across the world. Prevention of this disease is essential, and the development of effective prevention strategies requires validated information on the disease burden and the risk factors. Embarking on a nationally representative cross-sectional study is challenging and costly. Few countries undertake this process regularly, if at all.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This paper sets out the evidence-based protocol of a recent cross-sectional study that was conducted in Malta. Data collection took place from November 2014 to January 2016.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study presents up-to-date national data on diabetes and its risk factors (such as obesity, smoking, physical activity and alcohol intake) that will soon be publicly available.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This protocol was compiled so that the study can be replicated in other countries. The protocol contains step-by-step descriptions of the study design, including details on the population sampling, the permissions required and the validated measurement tools used.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.18","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36193209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M Ramsay, N Crowther, E Tambo, G Agongo, V Baloyi, S Dikotope, X Gómez-Olivé, N Jaff, H Sorgho, R Wagner, C Khayeka-Wandabwa, A Choudhury, S Hazelhurst, K Kahn, Z Lombard, F Mukomana, C Soo, H Soodyall, A Wade, S Afolabi, I Agorinya, L Amenga-Etego, S A Ali, J D Bognini, R P Boua, C Debpuur, S Diallo, E Fato, A Kazienga, S Z Konkobo, P M Kouraogo, F Mashinya, L Micklesfield, S Nakanabo-Diallo, B Njamwea, E Nonterah, S Ouedraogo, V Pillay, A M Somande, P Tindana, R Twine, M Alberts, C Kyobutungi, S A Norris, A R Oduro, H Tinto, S Tollman, O Sankoh
{"title":"H3Africa AWI-Gen Collaborative Centre: a resource to study the interplay between genomic and environmental risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in four sub-Saharan African countries.","authors":"M Ramsay, N Crowther, E Tambo, G Agongo, V Baloyi, S Dikotope, X Gómez-Olivé, N Jaff, H Sorgho, R Wagner, C Khayeka-Wandabwa, A Choudhury, S Hazelhurst, K Kahn, Z Lombard, F Mukomana, C Soo, H Soodyall, A Wade, S Afolabi, I Agorinya, L Amenga-Etego, S A Ali, J D Bognini, R P Boua, C Debpuur, S Diallo, E Fato, A Kazienga, S Z Konkobo, P M Kouraogo, F Mashinya, L Micklesfield, S Nakanabo-Diallo, B Njamwea, E Nonterah, S Ouedraogo, V Pillay, A M Somande, P Tindana, R Twine, M Alberts, C Kyobutungi, S A Norris, A R Oduro, H Tinto, S Tollman, O Sankoh","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.17","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Africa is experiencing a rapid increase in adult obesity and associated cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). The H3Africa AWI-Gen Collaborative Centre was established to examine genomic and environmental factors that influence body composition, body fat distribution and CMD risk, with the aim to provide insights towards effective treatment and intervention strategies. It provides a research platform of over 10 500 participants, 40-60 years old, from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. Following a process that involved community engagement, training of project staff and participant informed consent, participants were administered detailed questionnaires, anthropometric measurements were taken and biospecimens collected. This generated a wealth of demographic, health history, environmental, behavioural and biomarker data. The H3Africa SNP array will be used for genome-wide association studies. AWI-Gen is building capacity to perform large epidemiological, genomic and epigenomic studies across several African counties and strives to become a valuable resource for research collaborations in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e20"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.17","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35687824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Body composition and the monitoring of non-communicable chronic disease risk.","authors":"J C K Wells, M K Shirley","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There is a need for simple proxies of health status, in order to improve monitoring of chronic disease risk within and between populations, and to assess the efficacy of public health interventions as well as clinical management. This review discusses how, building on recent research findings, body composition outcomes may contribute to this effort. Traditionally, body mass index has been widely used as the primary index of nutritional status in children and adults, but it has several limitations. We propose that combining information on two generic traits, indexing both the 'metabolic load' that increases chronic non-communicable disease risk, and the homeostatic 'metabolic capacity' that protects against these diseases, offers a new opportunity to improve assessment of disease risk. Importantly, this approach may improve the ability to take into account ethnic variability in chronic disease risk. This approach could be applied using simple measurements readily carried out in the home or community, making it ideal for M-health and E-health monitoring strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e18"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.9","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Changing phenotype and disease behaviour of chronic pancreatitis in India: evidence for gene-environment interactions.","authors":"P K Garg, D Narayana","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.13","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2016.13","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The idiopathic variety of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in India particularly in Kerala state was earlier called 'tropical pancreatitis' with peculiar features: early age of onset, severe malnutrition, diabetes and poor prognosis. A change in disease phenotype and behaviour has been observed recently.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To review the changing profile of CP in India and examine its relationship with environmental influences and socio-economic development.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Relevant studies on CP in India were reviewed along with social and economic parameters in Kerala over the past 4 decades.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There has been a definite change in the phenotype of CP in India with onset in mid twenties, better nutritional status, and a much better prognosis compared with the reports in 1970s. Genetic susceptibility due to genetic mutations particularly in <i>SPINK1, CFTR, CTRC</i>, and <i>CLDN2/MORC4</i> genes is the most important factor and not malnutrition or dietary toxins for idiopathic CP suggesting the term 'tropical pancreatitis' is a misnomer. We observed a close relationship between socio-economic development and rising income in Kerala with late onset of disease, nutritional status, and better prognosis of CP.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Changing profile of CP in India and better understanding of risk factors provide evidence for gene-environmental interactions in its pathobiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e17"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.13","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hoang Van Minh, Tran Quynh Anh, Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga
{"title":"Health insurance drop-out among adult population: findings from a study in a Health and demographic surveillance system in Northern Vietnam 2006-2013.","authors":"Hoang Van Minh, Tran Quynh Anh, Nguyen Thi Thuy Nga","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2016.14","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The coverage of health insurance as measured by enrollment rates has increased significantly in Vietnam. However, maintaining health insurance to the some groups such as the farmer, the borderline poor and informal workers, etc. has been very challenging. This paper examines the situation of health insurance drop-out among the adult population in sub-rural areas of Northern Vietnam from 2006 to 2013, and analyzes several socio-economic correlates of the health insurance drop-out situation. Data used in this paper were obtained from Health and Demographic Surveillance System located in Chi Linh district, an urbanizing area, in a northern province of Vietnam. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the level and distribution of the health insurance drop-out status. Multiple logistic regressions were used to assess associations between the health insurance drop-out status and the independent variables. A total of 32 561 adults were investigated. We found that the cumulative percentage of health insurance drop-out among the study participants was 21.2%. Health insurance drop-out rates were higher among younger age groups, people with lower education, and those who worked as small trader and other informal jobs, and belonged to the non-poor households. Given the findings, further attention toward health insurance among these special populations is needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1017/gheg.2016.14","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The potential and value of epidemiology in curbing non-communicable diseases.","authors":"A Patel, R Webster","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.10","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2016.10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have reached pandemic levels globally and pose a major threat to social and economic development worldwide. The discipline of epidemiology has done much to bring this issue to the forefront of global health. Epidemiological approaches have broadened our understanding of the impact of NCDs in widening socioeconomic disparities. Over a number of decades, this discipline has also contributed to the development of many preventive measures and treatments of known efficacy and safety. However, epidemiology also has a critical role to play in better translating these discoveries into practice, through the new science of implementation. As we strive to achieve the \"25 by 25\" goal of a 25% reduction in premature mortality from common NCDs by 2025, the discipline of epidemiology will need to continuously evolve to remain an essential tool for public health action.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e15"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870425/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J G Lavoie, D Kornelsen, L Wylie, J Mignone, J Dwyer, Y Boyer, A Boulton, K O'Donnell
{"title":"Responding to health inequities: Indigenous health system innovations.","authors":"J G Lavoie, D Kornelsen, L Wylie, J Mignone, J Dwyer, Y Boyer, A Boulton, K O'Donnell","doi":"10.1017/gheg.2016.12","DOIUrl":"10.1017/gheg.2016.12","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Over the past decades, Indigenous communities around the world have become more vocal and mobilized to address the health inequities they experience. Many Indigenous communities we work with in Canada, Australia, Latin America, the USA, New Zealand and to a lesser extent Scandinavia have developed their own culturally-informed services, focusing on the needs of their own community members. This paper discusses Indigenous healthcare innovations from an international perspective, and showcases Indigenous health system innovations that emerged in Canada (the First Nation Health Authority) and Colombia (Anas Wayúu). These case studies serve as examples of Indigenous-led innovations that might serve as models to other communities. The analysis we present suggests that when opportunities arise, Indigenous communities can and will mobilize to develop Indigenous-led primary healthcare services that are well managed and effective at addressing health inequities. Sustainable funding and supportive policy frameworks that are harmonized across international, national and local levels are required for these organizations to achieve their full potential. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates the value of supporting Indigenous health system innovations.</p>","PeriodicalId":44052,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Epidemiology and Genomics","volume":"1 ","pages":"e14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2016-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5870470/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36192738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}