Browsing by Author "Meeks, K.A.C."

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

An explorative epigenome‑wide association study of plasma renin and aldosterone concentration in a Ghanaian population: the RODAM study
(Clinical Epigenetics, 2022) van der Linden, E.L.; Halley, A.; Meeks, K.A.C.; Chilunga, F.; Hayfron‑Benjamin, C.; Venema, A.; Garrelds, I.M.; Danser, A.H.J.; van den Born, B-J.; Henneman, P.; Agyemang, C.
Background: The epigenetic regulation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) potentially plays a role in the pathophysiology underlying the high burden of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africans (SSA). Here we report the first epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of plasma renin and aldosterone concentrations and the aldosteroneto- renin ratio (ARR). Methods: Epigenome-wide DNA methylation was measured using the Illumina 450K array on whole blood samples of 68 Ghanaians. Differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were assessed for plasma renin concentration, aldosterone, and ARR using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and technical covariates. Additionally, we extracted methylation loci previously associated with hypertension, kidney function, or that were annotated to RAAS-related genes and associated these with renin and aldosterone concentration. Results: We identified one DMP for renin, ten DMPs for aldosterone, and one DMP associated with ARR. Top DMPs were annotated to the PTPRN2, SKIL, and KCNT1 genes, which have been reported in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors, atherosclerosis, and sodium-potassium handling. Moreover, EWAS loci previously associated with hypertension, kidney function, or RAAS-related genes were also associated with renin, aldosterone, and ARR. Conclusion: In this first EWAS on RAAS hormones, we identified DMPs associated with renin, aldosterone, and ARR in a SSA population. These findings are a first step in understanding the role of DNA methylation in regulation of the RAAS in general and in a SSA population specifically. Replication and translational studies are needed to establish the role of these DMPs in the hypertension burden in SSA populations.
Microvascular and macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes Ghanaian residents in Ghana and Europe: The RODAM study
(Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 2019-04-30) Amoah, A.G.B.; Hayfron-Benjamin, C.; Hayfron-Benjamin, B.V.D.; Maitland - van der Zee, A.H.; Meeks, K.A.C.; Klipstein-Grobusch, K.; Bahendeka, S.; Spranger, J.; Danquah, I.; Mockenhaupt, F.; Beune, E.; Smeeth, L.; Agyemang, C.
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 nonmigrant than in migrant Ghanaians with T2D. Conventional cardiovascular risk factors did not explain the differences except for nephropathy and stroke.
Psychosocial factors and hypertension prevalence among Ghanaians in Ghana and Ghanaian migrants in Europe: The RODAM study
(Health Psychology Open, 2019-11-12) Awuah, R.B.; Aikins, A.D.; Dodoo, F.N-A.; Meeks, K.A.C.; Beune, E.J.A.J.; Klipstein-Grobusch, K.; Addo, J.; Smeeth, L.; Bahendeka, S.K.; Agyemang, C.
Despite progress made to prevent and control hypertension, its prevalence has persisted in many countries. This study examined the associations between psychosocial factors and hypertension among Ghanaian non-migrants and migrants. Data were drawn from the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) project. Findings show that among migrant women, those who experienced periods of stress at home/work had higher odds of hypertension. Among non-migrants, women with depression symptoms were more likely to be hypertensive. Furthermore, there was a positive association between negative life events and hypertension among non-migrant men. The findings highlight the importance of psychosocial factors in addressing hypertension prevalence in Ghanaian populations.
Psychosocial stressors among Ghanaians in rural and urban Ghana and Ghanaian migrants in Europe
(SAGE, 2022) Awuah, R.B.; Aikins, A.d; Dodoo, F.N.; Meeks, K.A.C.; Beune, E.J.A.J.; Klipstein-Grobusch, K.; Addo, J.; Smeeth, L.; Bahendeka, S.K.; Agyemang, C.
Psychosocial stressors have significant health and socio-economic impacts on individuals. We examined the prevalence and correlates of psychosocial stressors among non-migrant and migrant Ghanaians as there is limited research in these populations. The study was cross-sectional and quantitative in design. A majority of the study participants had experienced stress, discrimination and negative life events. Increased age, female sex, strong social support and high sense of mastery were associated with lower odds of experiencing psychosocial stressors in both populations. Interventions should be multi-level in design, focusing on the correlates which significantly influence the experience of psychosocial stressors
Type 2 diabetes mellitus management among Ghanaian migrants resident in three European countries and their compatriots in rural and urban Ghana – The RODAM study
(Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2018-02) Bijlholt, M.; Meeks, K.A.C.; Beune, E.; Addo, J.; Smeeth, L.; Schulze, M.B.; Danquah, I.; Galbete, C.; De-Graft Aikins, A.; Klipstein-Grobusch, K.et.al.
Aims To compare Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) awareness, treatment and control between Ghanaians resident in Ghana and Europe. Methods Comparisons were made for the 530 participants of the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study with T2DM (25–70 years) living in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, urban Ghana and rural Ghana. We used logistic regression to assess disparities with adjustment for age, sex and education. Results T2DM awareness was 51% in rural Ghana. This was lower than levels in Europe ranging from 73% in London (age-sex adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.7; 95%CI = 1.2–6.0) to 79% in Amsterdam (OR = 4.7; 95%CI = 2.3–9.6). T2DM treatment was also lower in rural Ghana (37%) than in urban Ghana (56%; OR = 2.6; 95%CI = 1.3–5.3) and European sites ranging from 67% in London (OR = 3.4; 95%CI = 1.5–7.5) to 73% in Berlin (OR = 6.9; 95%CI = 2.9–16.4). In contrast, T2DM control in rural Ghana (63%) was comparable to Amsterdam and Berlin, but higher than in London (40%; OR = 0.4; 95%CI = 0.2–0.9) and urban Ghana (28%; OR = 0.3; 95%CI = 0.1–0.6). Conclusions Our findings suggest that improved detection and treatment of T2DM in rural Ghana, and improved control for people with diagnosed T2DM in London and urban Ghana warrant prioritization. Further work is needed to understand the factors driving the differences.