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Apol KD, Lydersen LN, Mortensen Ó, Weihe P, Á Steig B, Andorsdóttir G, Gregersen NO. FarGen - participants in the genetic research infrastructure of the Faroe Islands. Scand J Public Health 2021; 50:980-987. [PMID: 34609256 PMCID: PMC9578100 DOI: 10.1177/14034948211046817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: The demographic history of the Faroe Islands makes this isolated population – founded in the 9th century – interesting for genetic research. The goal of the FarGen project was to recruit individuals to the FarGen infrastructure to promote research into the genetic features of the Faroese people, and to develop a reference panel of population-specific variants. We aimed to recruit 1500 individuals. Participation was voluntary; participants had to donate a blood sample for whole-genome sequencing, and had to answer a questionnaire regarding sociodemographics, health, motivation and attitude towards participation in genetic research. Methods: A total of 1541 participants voluntarily joined the project, donated a blood sample and returned the questionnaire. Results: Answers from the questionnaire show that participants are, in general, European, have children, have a relatively high level of education, rate their health to be good, are willing to participate in future health-related research, and were motivated to sign up primarily to participate in research to help others and local research competency building. Conclusions: Overall, the initial cohort of the FarGen infrastructure comprises 3% of the Faroese population, and represents the general population well based on the collected sociodemographic data. However, there is an excess of women, and some geographic sub-regions and age groups are slightly underrepresented. We find the recruitment method with voluntary sign-up appropriate, and knowledge acquired through the first phase will aid the next phase of the project, with the aim of expanding the FarGen cohort with additional individuals, bio-specimens and body measurements in order to perform multifactorial analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin D Apol
- FarGen, The Genetic Biobank of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Leivur N Lydersen
- FarGen, The Genetic Biobank of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Ólavur Mortensen
- FarGen, The Genetic Biobank of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Pál Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Bjarni Á Steig
- General Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | | | - Noomi O Gregersen
- FarGen, The Genetic Biobank of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
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Abstract
The WHO recommends monitoring iodine status in all populations with median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) below 100 µg/l suggesting iodine deficiency. There are no data on the iodine intake among the population of the Faroe Islands. This study aimed to provide data on iodine nutrition in a representative sample of the general adult population from the Faroe Islands. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey in 2011–2012 and measured iodine in urine from 491 participants (294/197 men/women) using the ceri/arsen method after alkaline ashing. Participants include about 100 subjects in each of four adult decades and included participants from both the capital city and villages. The median UIC was low within the recommended range 101 µg/l (range 21–1870 µg/l). No samples were in the range suggesting severe iodine deficiency, but half of the samples were in the range of just adequate or mildly insufficient iodine intake with UIC markedly lower in women than in men (86 v. 115 µg/l; P < 0·001). Intake of fish and whale meals affected the UIC. In conclusion, nearly half of the population had an iodine excretion in the range of borderline or mild iodine deficiency. The lowest iodine nutrition level among Faroese women is a concern as it may extend to pregnancy with increased demands on iodine nutrition. In addition, we found that large variations and the intermittently excessive iodine intakes warrant follow-up on thyroid function in the population of the Faroe Islands.
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Honnudóttir V, Hansen L, Veyhe AS, Andersen I, Weihe P, Strøm M, Mohr M. Social inequality in type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Faroe Islands: a cross-sectional study. Scand J Public Health 2021; 50:638-645. [PMID: 34058890 DOI: 10.1177/14034948211013267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Aims: The Faroe Islands is considered a homogeneous society and has a low Gini coefficient, but the knowledge about the social distribution of health and disease is sparse. In a large population-based sample we investigated: (a) the association between socioeconomic position defined by level of education and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus by self-report in the Faroe Islands; and (b) to what degree lifestyle factors mediate the association. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the population-based Public Health Survey Faroes 2015 (n=1095). We present odds ratios for type 2 diabetes mellitus by socioeconomic position from logistic regression models. In our main model we adjusted for potential confounders and in a secondary model we additionally adjusted for potential mediating lifestyle factors. Results: Individuals with middle and low levels of education display higher odds ratios of type 2 diabetes mellitus of 2.80 (95% confidence interval 1.32-5.92) and 4.65 (95% confidence interval 1.93-11.17) in adjusted analysis, respectively, compared to their counterparts with high education. After adjustment for potentially mediating lifestyle factors the estimates were attenuated slightly, but a significant statistical association remained, with lifestyle-related mediating factors in total explaining 21% for middle education and 34% for low education participants. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that there may be a social gradient in the distribution of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Faroe Islands, and that the association is partly mediated by lifestyle factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Louise Hansen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anna Sofía Veyhe
- Centre of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Ingelise Andersen
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pál Weihe
- Centre of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Marin Strøm
- Centre of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Magni Mohr
- Faroese Board of Public Health, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Centre of Health Science, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.,Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Leffler CT, Ing E, Lykins JD, Hogan MC, McKeown CA, Grzybowski A. Association of Country-wide Coronavirus Mortality with Demographics, Testing, Lockdowns, and Public Wearing of Masks. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:2400-2411. [PMID: 33124541 PMCID: PMC7695060 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied sources of variation between countries in per-capita mortality from COVID-19 (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus). Potential predictors of per-capita coronavirus-related mortality in 200 countries by May 9, 2020 were examined, including age, gender, obesity prevalence, temperature, urbanization, smoking, duration of the outbreak, lockdowns, viral testing, contact-tracing policies, and public mask-wearing norms and policies. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed. In univariate analysis, the prevalence of smoking, per-capita gross domestic product, urbanization, and colder average country temperature were positively associated with coronavirus-related mortality. In a multivariable analysis of 196 countries, the duration of the outbreak in the country, and the proportion of the population aged 60 years or older were positively associated with per-capita mortality, whereas duration of mask-wearing by the public was negatively associated with mortality (all P < 0.001). Obesity and less stringent international travel restrictions were independently associated with mortality in a model which controlled for testing policy. Viral testing policies and levels were not associated with mortality. Internal lockdown was associated with a nonsignificant 2.4% reduction in mortality each week (P = 0.83). The association of contact-tracing policy with mortality was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). In countries with cultural norms or government policies supporting public mask-wearing, per-capita coronavirus mortality increased on average by just 16.2% each week, as compared with 61.9% each week in remaining countries. Societal norms and government policies supporting the wearing of masks by the public, as well as international travel controls, are independently associated with lower per-capita mortality from COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Leffler
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Edsel Ing
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joseph D Lykins
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.,Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Matthew C Hogan
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Craig A McKeown
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - Andrzej Grzybowski
- Institute for Research in Ophthalmology, Poznan, Poland.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
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Mohr M, Skoradal MB, Andersen TR, Krustrup P. Gender-dependent evaluation of football as medicine for prediabetes. Eur J Appl Physiol 2019; 119:2011-2024. [PMID: 31346789 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-019-04188-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Training intensity and health effects of football were investigated gender specifically in individuals with prediabetes. METHODS Participants with prediabetes (age 60 ± 6 years) were randomised into a football and dietary advice group (FD-men n = 13 and FD-women n = 14) or a dietary advice only group (D-men n = 12 and D-women n = 11). FD performed football training (twice/week for 16 weeks), while both groups received dietary advice. Body composition, bone variables, blood pressure, blood lipid profile and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) were determined pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS Mean heart rate during football training was 79 ± 2 and 80 ± 3% HRmax for FD-men and FD-women, respectively, with peak heart rate values of 96 ± 1 and 97 ± 2% HRmax, with no gender differences. VO2peak increased more (P < 0.05) in FD-men and FD-women than in D-men and D-women. However, relative delta change in VO2peak was 21 ± 14% in FD-women, which was greater (P < 0.05) than in FD-men (11 ± 12%). Reduction in SBP and DBP, respectively, was similar in FD-men (- 10.8 ± 13.0 and - 7.3 ± 11.8 mmHg) and FD-women (- 11.3 ± 11.0 and - 7.1 ± 6.2 mmHg), with within-gender differences for men. Total plasma cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased (P < 0.05) by - 0.7 ± 1.1 and - 0.5 ± 0.9 mmol L-1, respectively, in FD-women and - 0.2 ± 0.4 and - 0.2 ± 0.3 mmol L-1 in FD-men, with no significant gender differences (P = 0.08). Body fat content was lowered (P < 0.05) by 3 and 4%-points in FD-men and FD-women, respectively. CONCLUSION Gender-mixed football training combined with dietary advice causes broad-spectrum health effects for men and women with prediabetes, with minor gender-specific differences. Thus, the intensity and training-induced effects of football training are also high for elderly women with prediabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magni Mohr
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
- Centre of Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Jónas Broncksgøta 25, 3rd floor, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
- Centre for Health and Performance, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - May-Britt Skoradal
- Centre of Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Jónas Broncksgøta 25, 3rd floor, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Thomas Rostgaard Andersen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Peter Krustrup
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Department of Sports Science, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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Veyhe AS, Andreassen J, Halling J, Grandjean P, Skaalum Petersen M, Weihe P. Prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in two non-random populations aged 44-77 years in the Faroe Islands. J Clin Transl Endocrinol 2019; 16:100187. [PMID: 31032180 PMCID: PMC6477859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcte.2019.100187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide but little known about the status in the Faroe Islands. The aim was therefore to determine the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetes in two non-random populations aged 44-77 years. METHODS This cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2011 and 2012 and included two sub-populations, namely 518 Septuagenarians aged 74-77 years (84% of the invited) and 401 Mark aged 44-73 years (87% of the invited). Subjects were screened for glycosylated haemoglobin, type A1c, non-fasting random plasma glucose, fasting plasma glucose followed by an oral glucose tolerance test. The screening was based on a diagnostic algorithm that included screening, diagnostic and confirmatory steps. RESULTS Each group was analysed separately. In the Septuagenarian group 20.4% had type 2 diabetes, with 5.2% being newly detected and a total of 59% had prediabetes. In the Mark group 4.1% had diabetes, with 2.1% being newly detected and 22.3% had prediabetes. Diabetes increased with age and was significantly more prevalent among men. Women had lower mean fasting plasma glucose concentrations and men had lower values for 2-hours plasma glucose. Significant predictors associated with diabetes mellitus included obesity (BMI ≥ 30, abnormal waist/hip ratio and vegetable consumption. CONCLUSIONS Among the Faroese populations studied, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increased with age and was more prevalent among men. The detected prevalence was comparable to other Nordic countries for all age-groups.
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Key Words
- 2hPG, 2-hour plasma glucose
- BMI, body mass index
- CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Diagnostic criteria
- FPG, fasting plasma glucose
- Faroe Islands
- HbA1c, glycosylated heamoglobin type A1c
- IFG, impaired fasting glycaemia
- IGT, impaired glucose tolerance
- Impaired glucose regulation
- K-T2D, Previously Known Type 2 Diabetes
- M, Mark
- N-T2D, newly diagnosed diabetes
- NGT, normal glucose tolerance
- OCP, organochlorine pollutant
- OGTT, oral glucose tolerance test
- Prediabetes
- Prevalence
- RPG, random plasma glucose
- S, Septuagenarians
- SD, standard deviation
- T2D, type 2 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- WHO, World Health Organization
- WHR, waist/hip ratio
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sofía Veyhe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Center of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science and Nursing, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Jens Andreassen
- National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Jónrit Halling
- Department of Science and Technology, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Philippe Grandjean
- Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maria Skaalum Petersen
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Center of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science and Nursing, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Pál Weihe
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health, The Faroese Hospital System, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
- Center of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Science and Nursing, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
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Skoradal MB, Helge EW, Jørgensen NR, Mortensen J, Weihe P, Krustrup P, Mohr M. Osteogenic impact of football training in 55- to 70-year-old women and men with prediabetes. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2018; 28 Suppl 1:52-60. [DOI: 10.1111/sms.13252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- May-Britt Skoradal
- Faculty of Health Sciences; Centre of Health Science; University of the Faroe Islands; Tórshavn Faroe Islands
| | - Eva Wulff Helge
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Niklas R. Jørgensen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry; Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital; Glostrup Denmark
| | - Jann Mortensen
- Department of Medicine; The Faroese National Hospital; Tórshavn Faroe Islands
- Department of Clinical Physiology; Nuclear Medicine & PET; Rigshospitalet; Copenhagen University Hospital; Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Pál Weihe
- Faculty of Health Sciences; Centre of Health Science; University of the Faroe Islands; Tórshavn Faroe Islands
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health; The Faroese Hospital System; Tórshavn Faroe Islands
| | - Peter Krustrup
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics; SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC); Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Southern Denmark; Odense Denmark
- Sport and Health Sciences; University of Exeter; Exeter UK
| | - Magni Mohr
- Faculty of Health Sciences; Centre of Health Science; University of the Faroe Islands; Tórshavn Faroe Islands
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics; SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC); Faculty of Health Sciences; University of Southern Denmark; Odense Denmark
- Center for Health and Performance; Department of Food and Nutrition, and Sport Science; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
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