Browsing by Author "Gershim Asiki"

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    Genetic associations with carotid intima-media thickness link to atherosclerosis with sex-specific effects in sub-Saharan Africans
    (2022-02-14) Palwende Romuald Boua; Jean-Tristan Brandenburg; Ananyo Choudhury; Hermann Sorgho; Engelbert A Nonterah; Godfred Agongo; Gershim Asiki; Lisa Micklesfield; Solomon Choma; Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé; Scott Hazelhurst; Halidou Tinto; Nigel J Crowther; Christopher G Mathew; Michèle Ramsay
    Atherosclerosis precedes the onset of clinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We used carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) to investigate genetic susceptibility to atherosclerosis in 7894 unrelated adults (3963 women, 3931 men; 40 to 60 years) resident in four sub-Saharan African countries. cIMT was measured by ultrasound and genotyping was performed on the H3Africa SNP Array. Two new African-specific genome-wide significant loci for mean-max cIMT, SIRPA (p = 4.7E-08), and FBXL17 (p = 2.5E-08), were identified. Sex-stratified analysis revealed associations with one male-specific locus, SNX29 (p = 6.3E-09), and two female-specific loci, LARP6 (p = 2.4E-09) and PROK1 (p = 1.0E-08). We replicate previous cIMT associations with different lead SNPs in linkage disequilibrium with SNPs primarily identified in European populations. Our study find significant enrichment for genes involved in oestrogen response from female-specific signals. The genes identified show biological relevance to atherosclerosis and/or CVDs, sex-differences and transferability of signals from non-African studies.
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    Identifying the prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity in middle-aged men and women: a cross-sectional populationbased study in four African countries
    (2023-02-15) Lisa K Micklesfield; Richard Munthali; Godfred Agongo; Gershim Asiki; Palwende Boua; Solomon SR Choma; Nigel J Crowther; June Fabian; Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé; Chodziwadziwa Kabudula; Eric Maimela; Shukri F Mohamed; Engelbert A Nonterah; Frederick J Raal; Hermann Sorgho; Furahini D Tluway; Alisha N Wade; Shane A Norris; Michele Ramsay
    Objectives To determine the prevalence of multimorbidity, to identify which chronic conditions cluster together and to identify factors associated with a greater risk for multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Design Cross-sectional, multicentre, population-based study. Setting Six urban and rural communities in four subSaharan African countries. Participants Men (n=4808) and women (n=5892) between the ages of 40 and 60 years from the AWI-Gen study. Measures Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, and multimorbidity as defined by the presence of two or more of the following conditions: HIV infection, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension. Results Multimorbidity prevalence was higher in women compared with men (47.2% vs 35%), and higher in South African men and women compared with their East and West African counterparts. The most common disease combination at all sites was dyslipidaemia and hypertension, with this combination being more prevalent in South African women than any single disease (25% vs 21.6%). Age and body mass index were associated with a higher risk of multimorbidity in men and women; however, lifestyle correlates such as smoking and physical activity were different between the sexes. Conclusions The high prevalence of multimorbidity in middle-aged adults in SSA is of concern, with women currently at higher risk. This prevalence is expected to increase in men, as well as in the East and West African region with the ongoing epidemiological transition. Identifying common disease clusters and correlates of multimorbidity is critical to providing effective interventions.