A national audit of facilities, human and material resources for the comprehensive management of diabetes in Ghana-A 2023 update.

INTRODUCTION: The human and material resources as well as the systems for managing diabetes in Africa are inadequate. This study or needs assessment, aimed at updating the human and material resources, identifying the gaps and unmet needs for comprehensive diabetes care in Ghana. METHODS: We conducted a national audit of 122 facilities in all 16 administrative regions of Ghana. Information obtained covered areas on personnel and multidisciplinary teams, access to medications, access to laboratory services, financing, screening services, management of diabetes complications, and availability/use of diabetes guidelines or protocols. Data was analysed using STATA version 16.1. P-values <0.05 were set as significant. RESULTS: Only 85(69.7%) out of the 122 surveyed facilities had a dedicated centre or service for diabetes care. Twenty-eight (23%) had trained diabetes doctors/specialists; and whilst most centres had ophthalmic nurses and dieticians, majority of them did not have trained diabetes educators (nurses), psychologists, ophthalmologists, podiatrists, and foot/vascular surgeons. Also, 13.9% had monofilaments, none could perform urine dipstick for microalbumin; 5 (4.1%) and just over 50% could perform laboratory microalbumin estimation and glycated haemoglobin, respectively. Access to and supply of human insulins was better than analogue insulin in most centres. Nearly 100% of the institutions surveyed had access to metformin and sulphonylurea with good to excellent supply in most cases, whilst access to Sodium Glucose Transporter-2 inhibitors and Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues were low, and moderate for Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and thiazolidinediones. Majority of the health facilities (95.1%) offered NHIS as payment mechanism for clients, whilst 68.0% and 30.3% of the patients paid for services using out-of-pocket and private insurance respectively. Fifteen facilities (12.3%) had Diabetes Support Groups in their locality and catchment areas. CONCLUSION: An urgent multisectoral collaboration, including prioritisation of resources at the facility level, to promote and achieve acceptable comprehensive diabetes care is required.

Assessing the vibration perception threshold in a community sample of adult Ghanaians.

BACKGROUND: The vibration perception threshold (VPT) helps evaluate human somatosensory function and diagnose peripheral neuropathy. To optimize its use as a primary neurologic tool, it is imperative to establish its typical values in healthy subjects and assess the factors affecting its variability in an individual to ensure consistency in its application. METHODS: Demographic data and a brief medical history were collected from 391 non-diabetic adults aged 30-80 at Kpone-on-Sea in Ghana. The VPT was measured at the tip of the big toe, the medial malleolus, the tip of the middle finger, and the head of the ulna of each participant using a Horwell Neurothesiometer. The variability of VPT was assessed vis-à-vis the following factors: gender, age, fasting plasma sugar and body mass index. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 48.4 ± 0.7 years, and the female-to-male ratio was 1.46. The overall VPT values ranged from 5.74 ± 0.14 volts to 8.55 ± 0.18 volts in the lower limbs and 3.61 ± 0.06 volts to 5.00 ± 0.08 volts in the upper limbs. Age was found to be the only factor that could predict VPT for both the lower and upper limbs (P < 0.001). One-Way Analysis of Variance with Tukey's posthoc showed that the VPT in the feet was significantly higher than that in the hands. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, the VPT was high on proximal sites and low on distal sites indicating that the vibration sensation increased from proximal to distal direction. Therefore, distal areas should be used for VPT testing with a Neurothesiomer. Age was found to be the only factor that affected VPT variability. Hence, the practical application of VPT will require age-specific reference ranges to cater for older adults.

Associations between spirometric impairments and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence shows that the conventional cardiometabolic risk factors do not fully explain the burden of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes (T2D). One potential factor is the impact of pulmonary dysfunction on systemic microvascular injury. We assessed the associations between spirometric impairments and systemic microvascular complications in T2D. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: National Diabetes Management and Research Centre in Ghana. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 464 Ghanaians aged ≥35 years with established diagnosis of T2D without primary myocardial disease or previous/current heart failure. Participants were excluded if they had primary lung disease including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The associations of spirometric measures (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC ratio) with microvascular complications (nephropathy (albumin-creatinine ratio ≥3 mg/g), neuropathy (vibration perception threshold ≥25 V and/or Diabetic Neuropathy Symptom score >1) and retinopathy (based on retinal photography)) were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models with adjustments for age, sex, diabetes duration, glycated haemoglobin concentration, suboptimal blood pressure control, smoking pack years and body mass index. RESULTS: In age and sex-adjusted models, lower Z-score FEV1 was associated with higher odds of nephropathy (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.19-2.02, p=0.001) and neuropathy (1.27 (1.01-1.65), 0.038) but not retinopathy (1.22 (0.87-1.70), 0.246). Similar observations were made for the associations of lower Z-score FVC with nephropathy (1.54 (1.19-2.01), 0.001), neuropathy (1.25 (1.01-1.54), 0.037) and retinopathy (1.19 (0.85-1.68), 0.318). In the fully adjusted model, the associations remained significant for only lower Z-score FEV1 with nephropathy (1.43 (1.09-1.87), 0.011) and neuropathy (1.34 (1.04-1.73), 0.024) and for lower Z-score FVC with nephropathy (1.45 (1.11-1.91), 0.007) and neuropathy (1.32 (1.03-1.69), 0.029). Lower Z-score FEV1/FVC ratio was not significantly associated with microvascular complications in age and sex and fully adjusted models. CONCLUSION: Our study shows positive but varying strengths of associations between pulmonary dysfunction and microvascular complications in different circulations. Future studies could explore the mechanisms linking pulmonary dysfunction to microvascular complications in T2D.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Ocular Changes in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus in Selected Health Facilities in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR), other diabetes-related ocular changes (e.g., cataracts, corneal ulceration), and non-diabetic ocular disease in Ghanaian children and adolescents. The second objective was to evaluate the relationship between these conditions and age at diagnosis, current age, diabetes mellitus (DM) duration, and participant's sex. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, undertaken by a multidisciplinary team, included a cohort of children and adolescents (4-19 years) with DM recruited from selected health facilities in Ghana, from March 2016 to September 2019, after written informed consent or assent. The cohort will be followed up for 3 years to determine the natural course of the ocular changes, reported later. Participants were examined for all microvascular and macrovascular complications, non-diabetic ocular disease, anthropometric measurements, laboratory characteristics and quality of life issues. Full ocular examination was also undertaken. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0) was used for the data analysis. Continuous and categorical variables were presented as mean and standard deviation (SD), median (interquartile range) and as percentages (%), respectively. T-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used in establishing associations. RESULTS: A total of 58 participants were recruited. DR was detected in only 1 out of 58 (1.7%) participants at baseline. Cataracts were the most common ocular finding, detected in 42 (72%) at baseline. Other anterior segment changes observed included blepharitis 46 (79.3%) and tear film instability 38 (65.5%). There was a significant positive association between duration of the DM and the risk of cataract (p = 0.027). Participants' age at diagnosis was significantly associated with the presence of prominent corneal nerves (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: DR was uncommon in this cohort of young persons with DM in Ghana. Cataracts, blepharitis and refractive errors were ocular changes commonly observed. All young persons with diabetes should undergo regular eye examination in all clinics where follow-up care is provided.

Assessment of oral health status in a Ghanaian population: rationale, methods, and population characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Oral health surveys aid in estimating the oral health of a population and provide a projection for future oral health care needs. We report the procedures and rationale of a survey carried out to assess the oral health status and risk factors for oral disease among adults in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana. The objective was to provide prevalence estimates on dental diseases, oral health behaviour and risk factors, and to establish baseline epidemiological data on the population's oral health for further research. METHODS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study of adults aged 25 years and above. A random, stratified two-stage sampling method was used to select participants from rural and urban communities in three types of districts (Metropolitan, Municipal, Ordinary). A semi- structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, oral health behaviours and risk factors for oral disease. Anthropometric data and a full-mouth clinical examination was carried out including: soft tissue assessment, tooth count, prosthodontic status, dental caries assessment and periodontal assessment. RESULTS: A total of 729 participants were included in the study with a mean age of 43.9 years (SD 14.6). Majority 425 (61.0%) were females. Though the metropolitan districts had more dental clinics and personnel, along with better health insurance coverage, they had a higher prevalence of missing teeth, retained roots, severe periodontitis and poorer oral health coverage. The findings also show some significant differences in disease prevalence, within the different localities and districts. CONCLUSIONS: Availability and access to oral health services is not the most important determinant of good oral health outcomes in this region. We recommend exploring socio-behavioral and cultural factors as well. This study provides district level data to inform policy and guide further research.

Periodontitis prevalence and severity in an African population: A cross-sectional study in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a major public health problem affecting many adults, with considerable variation in its prevalence and severity worldwide. There is little data on its prevalence or associated risk factors in Ghana making development of evidence based preventive programs challenging. This study assessed the prevalence, severity, extent, and associated risk factors of periodontitis in an adult Ghanaian population. METHODS: A population based cross-sectional study involving adults aged ≥25 years in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana. A random stratified two-stage sampling method was used to select participants from rural and urban communities. Data on sociodemographic and risk factors were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. A full-mouth periodontal examination was performed to diagnose and describe the severity of periodontitis following the CDC-AAP case definition. RESULTS: A total of 729 participants were included in the study, with a mean age of 43.9 ± 14.6 years and 61% being female. Majority (84.8%) presented with gingivitis, 46.7% had periodontitis with 41.8% having both, and 13.9% had severe periodontitis. The mean clinical attachment loss (AL) was 1.36 ± 0.67 mm and 1.41 ± 0.57 mm for probing depth (PD). Factors associated with periodontitis included, increasing age, smoking, and alcohol use; being Muslim provided lower odds of disease. Older people, former smoking, being underweight and not having health insurance were associated with severe periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a high burden of periodontitis with comparatively more severe disease. Existing sociodemographic disparities in disease burden highlights the need of developing targeted population based preventive programs.

Associations of Serum Uric Acid Levels With Macrovascular and Renal Microvascular Dysfunction Among Individuals From Sub-Saharan Africa.

Importance: Serum uric acid (SUA) level is associated with vascular dysfunction in Eurasian populations, but little is known about this association in individuals from sub-Saharan Africa, who have a high prevalence of both relatively high SUA levels and vascular dysfunction. Objectives: To assess the associations of SUA levels with macrovascular and kidney microvascular dysfunction in individuals of sub-Saharan African ancestry and evaluate potential factors that could mediate these associations. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional analyses of baseline data from the multicenter Research on Obesity and Diabetes Among African Migrants study, conducted from 2012 to 2015, were performed from January to March 2021. The population included Ghanaian individuals living in Ghana and Europe. Exposure: Abnormal SUA levels. Main Outcomes and Measures: Logistic regression was used to examine the associations of SUA level quartiles with microvascular (albuminuria) and macrovascular (peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease) dysfunction, with adjustments for age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate, site of residence, socioeconomic status, alcohol, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, waist-hip ratio, and total cholesterol level. Mediation analysis was performed to assess whether the association was via elevated blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels or via weight-hip ratio. The research questions were formulated after data collection. Results: A total of 4919 Ghanaian individuals (3047 [61.9%] women) aged 25-75 years (mean [SD], 46.26 [11.08] years) were included. There was a significant positive association between SUA quartiles and albuminuria, but not coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease, after adjustment for covariates. After full adjustment, individuals in the fourth SUA quartile had higher odds of albuminuria (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.07-2.21), but not peripheral artery disease (aOR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.87-2.08) or coronary artery disease (aOR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.77-1.55), compared with individuals in the first quartile. After full adjustment, systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly mediated the association between SUA concentrations and albuminuria, accounting for 19.4% of the total association for systolic and 17.2% for diastolic blood pressure; hemoglobin A1c, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and waist-hip ratio did not mediate this association. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study among a sub-Saharan African population, elevated SUA levels were significantly associated with kidney microvascular dysfunction and mediated partly through elevated blood pressure. These findings suggest that individuals from sub-Saharan Africa with elevated SUA levels may benefit from periodic screening for kidney microvascular dysfunction to aid early detection or treatment.

Inflammation and its associations with aortic stiffness, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease in different ethnic groups: The HELIUS Study.

BACKGROUND: evidence shows important ethnic differences in vascular dysfunction rates; however, the mechanisms driving these differences remain unclear. One potential factor is the ethnic differences in the role of inflammation in vascular injury. We tested the hypothesis that low-grade inflammation is unequally associated with vascular dysfunction in different ethnic groups. METHODS: we included 5698 participants (similar-sized Dutch, African Surinamese, South-Asian Surinamese, Ghanaians, Turkish, and Moroccans) of the HELIUS study (the Netherlands) conducted between 2011 and 2015. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations of Z-score inflammatory biomarker concentration (high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], fibrinogen, and d-dimer) with vascular dysfunction (aortic stiffness, coronary artery disease [CAD], and peripheral artery disease [PAD]), with adjustments for age, sex, smoking (pack-years), BMI, hypertension, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and statin use. FINDINGS: in the fully adjusted models, higher Z-score hs-CRP was positively associated with CAD in Dutch [OR 1·63, (95% CI 1·21-2·18)] and PAD in South Asians [1·25(1·03-1·53)], respectively. Higher Z-score fibrinogen was positively associated with CAD in African Surinamese [1·28(1·03-1·59)] while higher Z-score d-dimer was positively associated with PAD in Moroccans [1·39(1·01-1·93)]. Higher Z-score hs-CRP [0·71(0·54-0·94)] and fibrinogen [0·75(0·58-0·97)] concentrations were negatively associated with PAD in African Surinamese. INTERPRETATION: our study shows that inflammatory biomarkers are unequally associated with vascular dysfunction in different ethnic groups. These observations provide opportunities for future studies aimed at assessing the predictive roles of inflammation on vascular disease in different ethnic groups.

Associations between macrovascular and renal microvascular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes and non-diabetes: the HELIUS study.

BACKGROUND: Although the associations between measures of macrovascular and microvascular dysfunctions are well characterized in diabetes, there is limited data on these associations in individuals without diabetes. We compared the associations between macrovascular dysfunction and renal microvascular dysfunction in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and without diabetes. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses of baseline data from the multiethnic Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), including 986 participants with T2D and 7680 participants without diabetes were done. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between macrovascular dysfunction [aortic stiffness, coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and stroke] and renal microvascular dysfunction [albuminuria] with adjustments for age, sex, ethnicity, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, and smoking (and HbA1c and diabetes duration for the T2D group). RESULTS: In the fully adjusted models, aortic stiffness was associated with albuminuria in individuals with T2D [OR 2.55; 95% CI,1.30-4.98], but not without diabetes [0.96; 0.63-1.45]; stroke was associated with albuminuria in T2D [2.40;1.10-5.25], but not in non-diabetes [1.39;0.83-2.33]. In age-sex adjusted models, CAD was associated with albuminuria in T2D [1.65;1.09-2.50] and in non-diabetes [1.56;1.13-2.15]; the associations were no longer significant in the fully adjusted model. There were no associations between PAD and albuminuria in T2D and non-diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows important differences in the associations between measures of macrovascular and renal microvascular dysfunction in T2D and non-diabetes. These findings provide opportunities for future research aimed at prevention and treatment strategies for individuals with vascular dysfunction.

Psychosocial distress, clinical variables and self-management activities associated with type 2 diabetes: a study in Ghana.

AIM: Psychosocial distress can act as a barrier to diabetes self-care management and thus compromise diabetes control. Yet in Ghana, healthcare centres mainly focus on the medical aspect of diabetes to the neglect of psychosocial care. This study determined the relationship amongst psychosocial distress, clinical variables, and self-management activities associated with type 2 diabetes management. METHOD: Questionnaires were administered to 162 patients from four hospitals in Accra, Ghana, to assess psychosocial distress (e.g. diabetes distress), clinical variables (e.g. glycaemic control), and self- management activities (e.g. medication intake) related to diabetes. In assessing diabetes distress, the use of the PAID allowed evaluation of broader range of emotional concerns (diabetes-related emotional distress), while the DDS allowed evaluation of factors more closely related to diabetes self-management (diabetes distress). RESULTS: Diabetes-related emotional distress, diabetes distress and depressive symptoms were reciprocally positively correlated, while non-supportive family behaviour correlated negatively with these psychological variables. Diabetes-related emotional distress correlated positively with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and correlated negatively with exercise regimen. On the other hand, diabetes distress correlated negatively with dietary and exercise regimen and correlated positively with glycaemic levels, while depressive symptoms correlated positively with glycaemic levels, diabetes complication and systolic blood pressure. Contrary to the literature, non-supportive family behaviour correlated positively with diet, exercise and medication regimen. CONCLUSION: The positive association of psychological variables with glycaemic levels and blood pressure levels, and the positive association of non-supportive family behaviour with self-management activities suggests the need for psychosocial care to be incorporate in the management of type 2 diabetes in Ghana. Patients can be screened for diabetes-related distress and symptoms of depression and provided psychosocial care where necessary.

Association between C reactive protein and microvascular and macrovascular dysfunction in sub-Saharan Africans with and without diabetes: the RODAM study.

INTRODUCTION: Although inflammation assessed by elevated C reactive protein (CRP) concentration is known to be associated with risk of cardiovascular disease, its association with microvascular and macrovascular dysfunction in diabetes and non-diabetes remains unclear. We examined the association between CRP and diabetes and associated microvascular and macrovascular dysfunction in sub-Saharan Africans with and without diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses of baseline data from the multicenter RODAM study (Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants) including 5248 Ghanaians (583 with diabetes, 4665 without diabetes) aged 25-70 years were done. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between CRP Z-scores and diabetes and microvascular (nephropathy) and macrovascular (peripheral artery disease (PAD)) dysfunction, with adjustments for age, sex, site of residence, smoking, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted models, higher CRP concentration was significantly associated with diabetes (adjusted OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.21, p=0.002). In participants with diabetes, higher CRP concentration was associated with PAD (1.19; 1.03 to 1.41, p=0.046) but not nephropathy (1.13; 0.97 to 1.31, p=0.120). Among participants without diabetes, higher CRP concentration was associated with higher odds of PAD (1.10; 1.01 to 1.21, p=0.029) and nephropathy (1.12; 1.04 to 1.22, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, higher CRP concentration was associated with higher odds of diabetes in sub-Saharan Africans. Also, higher CRP concentration was associated with higher odds of nephropathy and PAD in non-diabetes and higher odds of PAD in diabetes. CRP may be an important marker for assessment of risk of diabetes and risk for PAD and nephropathy in sub-Saharan Africans with and without diabetes.

Higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in Ghana compared to Ghanaian migrants in Europe: The RODAM study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that the burden of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is rising more rapidly than other forms of cardiovascular diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, but the extent to which they differ between rural and urban settings in Africa and upon migration to Europe is unknown. We assessed the burden of PAD among Ghanaians living in rural- and urban-Ghana and Ghanaian migrants living in three European countries. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses of baseline data from the multicenter Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study were done. Data from 5516 participants living in Europe (1487 Amsterdam, 546 Berlin, 1047 London) and Ghana [1419 urban and 1017 rural] aged 25-70years were included. PAD was defined as ankle brachial index≤0.90. Comparisons among sites were made using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The age-standardized prevalence of PAD was higher in Ghanaians living in rural [7.52%, 95% CI = 5.87-9.51] and urban [8.93%, 7.44-10.64] Ghana than for their compatriots living in Europe [5.70%, 4.35-7.35 for London; 3.94%, 2.96-5.14 for Amsterdam; and 0.44%, 0.05-1.58 for Berlin]. The differences persisted even after adjustment for age, sex, education and the conventional cardiovascular risk factors [adjusted odds ratio = 3.16, 95% CI = 2.16-4.61, p < .001 for rural-Ghana; and 2.93, 1.87-4.58, p < .00 for urban-Ghana, compared with Ghanaian migrants in Europe]. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that Ghanaians living in Ghana have higher prevalence of PAD than their migrant compatriots. Further work is needed to identify potential factors driving the high prevalence of PAD among non-migrant Ghanaians to assist interventions aimed at reducing PAD burden.

Type 2 diabetes complications and comorbidity in Sub-Saharan Africans.

BACKGROUND: Context-specific evidence of the spectrum of type 2 diabetes (T2D) burden is essential for setting priorities and designing interventions to reduce associated morbidity and mortality. However, there are currently limited data on the burden of T2D complications and comorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS: T2D complications and comorbidities were assessed in 2,784 participants with diabetes enrolled from tertiary health centres and contextualised in 3,209 individuals without diabetes in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. T2D complications and comorbidities evaluated included cardiometabolic, ocular, neurological and renal characteristics. FINDINGS: The most common complications/comorbidities among the T2D participants were hypertension (71%; 95% CI 69-73), hyperlipidaemia (34%; 95% CI 32-36), and obesity (27%; 95% CI 25-29). Additionally, the prevalence of cataracts was 32% (95% CI 30-35), diabetic retinopathy 15% (95% CI 13-17), impaired renal function 13% (95% CI 12-15), and erectile dysfunction (in men) 35% (95% CI 32-38). T2D population-attributable fraction for these comorbidities ranged between 6 and 64%. INTERPRETATION: The burden of diabetes complications and comorbidity is substantial in SSA highlighting the urgent need for innovative public health strategies that prioritise promotion of healthy lifestyles for prevention and early detection of T2D. Also needed are strategies to strengthen health care system capacities to provide treatment and care for diabetes complications.

ZRANB3 is an African-specific type 2 diabetes locus associated with beta-cell mass and insulin response.

Genome analysis of diverse human populations has contributed to the identification of novel genomic loci for diseases of major clinical and public health impact. Here, we report a genome-wide analysis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in sub-Saharan Africans, an understudied ancestral group. We analyze ~18 million autosomal SNPs in 5,231 individuals from Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya. We identify a previously-unreported genome-wide significant locus: ZRANB3 (Zinc Finger RANBP2-Type Containing 3, lead SNP p = 2.831 × 10-9). Knockdown or genomic knockout of the zebrafish ortholog results in reduction in pancreatic ß-cell number which we demonstrate to be due to increased apoptosis in islets. siRNA transfection of murine Zranb3 in MIN6 ß-cells results in impaired insulin secretion in response to high glucose, implicating Zranb3 in ß-cell functional response to high glucose conditions. We also show transferability in our study of 32 established T2D loci. Our findings advance understanding of the genetics of T2D in non-European ancestry populations.

Microvascular and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes Ghanaian residents in Ghana and Europe: The RODAM study.

AIMS: To compare microvascular and macrovascular complication rates among Ghanaians with type 2 diabetes (T2D) living in Ghana and in three European cities (Amsterdam, London and Berlin). METHODS: Data from the multicenter Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study were analyzed. 650 Ghanaian participants with T2D (206 non-migrant and 444 migrants) were included. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between migrant status and microvascular (nephropathy and retinopathy) and macrovascular (coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD) and stroke) complications with adjustment for age, gender, socioeconomic status, alcohol, smoking, physical activity, hypertension, BMI, total-cholesterol, and HbA1c. RESULTS: Microvascular and macrovascular complications rates were higher in non-migrant Ghanaians than in migrant Ghanaians (nephropathy 32.0% vs. 19.8%; PAD 11.2% vs. 3.4%; CAD 18.4% vs. 8.3%; and stroke 14.5% vs. 5.6%), except for self-reported retinopathy (11.0% vs. 21.6%). Except nephropathy and stroke, the differences persisted after adjustment for the above-mentioned covariates: PAD (OR 7.48; 95% CI, 2.16-25.90); CAD (2.32; 1.09-4.93); and retinopathy (0.23; 0.07-0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Except retinopathy, the rates of microvascular and macrovascular complications were higher in non-migrant than in migrant Ghanaians with T2D. Conventional cardiovascular risk factors did not explain the differences except for nephropathy and stroke.

A Novel Gametocyte Biomarker for Superior Molecular Detection of the Plasmodium falciparum Infectious Reservoirs.

Background: Complete malaria eradication and optimal use of transmission-reducing interventions require knowledge of submicroscopic infectious reservoirs among asymptomatic individuals. Even submicroscopic levels of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes can infect mosquitoes and promote onward transmission. Most efforts to identify gametocyte carriers use polymerase chain reaction amplification of the gametocyte-specific transcript Pfs25. Methods: To expand the repertoire of biomarkers available for superior gametocyte detection, we compared the gene expression profiles of gametocytes and asynchronous blood-stage P. falciparum parasites by microarray technology. This allowed the identification of 56 molecules abundantly expressed in the gametocyte stage of the parasite. The analytical sensitivity for gametocyte detection was evaluated for 25 genes with the highest expression levels. Results: One candidate, Pfg17, exhibited superior analytical sensitivity against a panel of gametocyte-spiked whole blood, detecting 10 gametocytes/mL; in comparison, Pfs25 detected only 25.3 gametocytes/mL. Pfg17 also exhibited superior clinical sensitivity, identifying 19.1% more samples from blood-film microscopy-negative Ghanaian children and 40% more samples from asymptomatic adults as gametocyte positive. Conclusions: Cumulatively, our results suggest Pfg17 is an excellent biomarker for detecting asymptomatic infectious reservoirs otherwise missed by the most sensitive molecular method available. Our study has also improved the repertoire of transmission-stage antigens available for evaluation as candidate vaccines.

Predictors of quality of life in patients with diabetes mellitus in two tertiary health institutions in Ghana and Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) usually have a relatively poor quality of life (QoL), because the cost of care (living expenses and health) or diet restrictions are heavily felt by these patients, and this is of a public health concern. However, limited data on DM QoL exist in Ghana and Nigeria. This makes it imperative for data to be collated in that regard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We adopted the Strengthening The reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) consensus checklist to survey the patients with DM seen at the diabetic clinic at the Department of Medicine of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Patients with Type 2 DM aged 40 years and older were recruited by using systematic random sampling method. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, diabetes empowerment scale, and DM knowledge scale were used to assess QoL, patient empowerment, and knowledge of DM, respectively. The predictors of QoL were determined using multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients in Ghana and 203 patients in Nigeria completed the survey, with female-to-male ratio being 3:1 and 2:1, respectively. The overall QoL in both countries was relatively low: 56.19 ± 8.23 in Ghana and 64.34 ± 7.34 in Nigeria. In Ghana, significant correlates of higher scores on the QoL scale were medication adherence (P = 0.02) and employment status (P = 0.02). Among patients in Nigeria, employment status (P = 0.02) and DM empowerment (0.03) were significant predictors of QoL in patients with DM. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed an association between a number of psychosocial factors and QoL among patients with DM in Ghana and Nigeria.

Genome-wide analysis identifies an african-specific variant in SEMA4D associated with body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of obesity varies between ethnic groups. No genome-wide association study (GWAS) for body mass index (BMI) has been conducted in continental Africans. METHODS: We performed a GWAS for BMI in 1,570 West Africans (WA). Replication was conducted in independent samples of WA (n = 1,411) and African Americans (AA) (n = 9,020). RESULTS: We identified a novel genome-wide significant African-specific locus for BMI (SEMA4D, rs80068415; minor allele frequency = 0.008, P = 2.10 × 10-8 ). This finding was replicated in independent samples of WA (P = 0.013) and AA (P = 0.017). Individuals with obesity had higher serum SEMA4D levels compared to those without obesity (P < 0.0001), and elevated levels of serum SEMA4D were associated with increased obesity risk (OR = 4.2, P < 1 × 10-4 ). The prevalence of obesity was higher in individuals with the CT versus TT genotypes (55.6% vs. 22.9%). CONCLUSIONS: A novel variant in SEMA4D was significantly associated with BMI. Carriers of the C allele were 4.6 BMI units heavier than carriers of the T allele (P = 0.0007). This variant is monomorphic in Europeans and Asians, highlighting the importance of studying diverse populations. While there is evidence for the involvement of SEMA4D in inflammatory processes, this study is the first to implicate SEMA4D in obesity pathophysiology.

Circulating angiogenic factors in diabetes patients in a tertiary hospital in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Impaired angiogenesis is amongst the underlining mechanisms of organ damage in diabetes and hypertensive patients. In diabetes and hypertensive patients without proteinuria and overt CVDs, we studied the levels of angiogenic growth factors, angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and the relationship between these angiogenic growth factors and renal function, measured as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). METHOD: In a case control design, 107 type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients and 93 non-diabetes controls were recruited into the study. Levels of plasma glucose, lipids, creatinine and angiogenic growth factors; Ang-1, Ang-2 and VEGF measured from fasting blood samples. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was computed using Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) algorithm and eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was considered to be low. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the odds of change in angiogenic growth factors among patients with diabetes and hypertension, and patients with low eGFR, compared to those without these conditions. RESULTS: In a total of 200 participants with 49 % females and mean age of 54.1 ± 10.2 years, 22.7 % of T2DM patients and 13.3 % of non-diabetes participant had low eGFR. The levels of Ang-1 and Ang-2 were highest in hypertensive T2DM patients, followed by patients with either T2DM or hypertension alone, with the controls having the lowest levels. The odds of change in circulating Ang-2 levels increased in patients with both diabetes and hypertension [11.76 (7.97-16.63), p < 0.01] compared to patients with either diabetes [5.45 (3.31-9.71), p = 0.02] or hypertension [5.45 (3.31-9.71), p = 0.02] alone. Compared to those with normal eGFR, the odds of change in serum Ang-2 levels were increased in patients with low eGFR in both the crude [1.26 (1.08-2.110), p = 0.023] and adjusted [1.14 (1.03-2.34), p = 0.043] regression models. CONCLUSION: In our study population, having diabetes and hypertension increased the levels of Ang-1 and Ang-2. Also, low eGFR status was associated with increased levels of Ang-2 after adjustment for other risk factors.

Arterial stiffness in hypertensive and type 2 diabetes patients in Ghana: comparison of the cardio-ankle vascular index and central aortic techniques.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes and hypertension increase arterial stiffness and cardiovascular events in all societies studied so far; sub-Saharan African studies are sparse. We investigated factors affecting arterial function in Ghanaians with diabetes, hypertension, both or neither. METHOD: Testing the hypothesis that arterial stiffness would progressively increase from controls to multiply affected patients, 270 participants were stratified into those with diabetes or hypertension only, with both, or without either. Cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), heart-ankle pulse wave velocity (haPWV), aortic PWV (PWVao) by Arteriograph, aortic and brachial blood pressures (BP), were measured. RESULTS: In patients with both diabetes and hypertension compared with either alone, values were higher of CAVI (mean ± SD, 8.3 ± 1.2 vs 7.5 ± 1.1 and 7.4 ± 1.1 units; p < 0.05), PWVao (9.1 ± 1.4 vs 8.7 ± 1.9 and 8.1 ± 0.9 m/s; p < 0.05) and haPWV (8.5 ± 1 vs 7.9 ± 1 and 7.2 ± 0.7 m/s; p < 0.05) respectively. In multivariate analysis, age, having diabetes or hypertension and BMI were independently associated with CAVI in all participants (ß = 0.49, 0.2, 0.17 and -0.2 units; p < 0.01, respectively). Independent determinants of PWVao were heart rate, systolic BP and age (ß = 0.42, 0.27 and 0.22; p < 0.01), and for haPWV were systolic BP, age, BMI, diabetes and hypertension status (ß = 0.46, 0.32, -0.2, 0.2 and 0.11; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this sub-Saharan setting with lesser atherosclerosis than the western world, arterial stiffness is significantly greater in patients with coexistent diabetes and hypertension but did not differ between those with either diabetes or hypertension only. Simple, reproducibly measured PWV/CAVI may offer effective and efficient targets for intervention.