Association of family history with incidence and gestational hypertension outcomes of preeclampsia

Prevalence of Risk Factors for Hypertension Among Faculty at an Urban University in Uganda

Purpose

Hypertension is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Many people however are not aware of their possession of risk factors for hypertension. There is a paucity of literature in Uganda describing the risk profile of faculty at public universities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension risk factors among university teaching staff.

Methods

This study was conducted among faculty at Makerere University in Uganda. The modified World Health Organization STEP-wise approach for non-communicable disease surveillance was used in data collection. Hypertension was defined as having a systolic blood pressure of ≥140mmHg and/or a diastolic blood pressure of ≥90mmHg, or being on antihypertensive medications. Participants were enrolled from the faculty lists by proportionate to size systematic sampling until the sample size for each college was obtained. Data was collected from January to March 2018. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with hypertension.

Results

A total of 141 participants were recruited into the study. The prevalent risk factors for hypertension include physical inactivity (78.7%), overweight (46.8%), obesity (20.6%), addition of extra salt to food (46.8%), current alcohol consumption (33.3%), history of smoking (10.6%), inadequate fruit and vegetable servings per day (100%), family history of hypertension (40.4%) and a family history of diabetes (22.7%). Hypertension was prevalent at 26.2% (95% CI 18.94-33.46%). The risk factors significantly associated with hypertension included a family history of hypertension (p=0.009), obesity (p=0.008) and male gender (p = 0.029).

Conclusion

The prevalence of known hypertension risk factors among university teaching staff in urban Uganda is high. Majority of these risk factors are modifiable highlighting the need for continuous screening as well as introduction of prevention and health promotion strategies to reduce the risk burden.

Familial clustering of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: A nationwide population-based study in Denmark

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Genetics plays a role in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP); however, empirical evidence on familial clustering of ICP is scarce. We aimed to assess the extent of familial recurrence of ICP.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

This population-based cohort study included all 668,461 primiparous women who gave birth between 1995 and 2018 in Denmark. Women diagnosed with ICP were included to the index cohort. Kinship with index women was determined with the Danish Civil Registration System. Log-binomial regression was used to calculate the relative recurrence risk (RRR) of ICP in relatives of index women. A total of 6722 (1.0%) primiparous women were diagnosed with ICP. In co-twins (n=57), first-degree (n=2279), second-degree (n=1373), and third-degree (n=1758) relatives of the index women, the incidence of ICP reached 5.3%, 2.6%, 0.7%, and 1.4%, respectively, corresponding to adjusted RRRs of 4.82 (95% CI, 1.60-14.48), 2.54 (1.98-3.26), 0.81 (0.44-1.51), and 1.15 (0.77-1.71), respectively. The first-degree relatives of women who had recurrent ICP or first-trimester ICP seemed to be at higher risks [RRR, 4.30 (2.85-6.48), 3.04 (1.93-4.77), respectively]. A minor increased risk was observed in nonbiological relatives [RRR, 1.35 (1.05-1.73); n=4274, including women's full-brothers' partner and women's husbands' full sisters].

CONCLUSIONS

Co-twins and first-degree relatives of ICP patients were at ~5- and ~2.5-fold increased risk of ICP, respectively. No increased risk was observed in second-degree and third-degree relatives. Recurrent ICP and first-trimester ICP might indicate a higher degree of family clustering. Further investigation is needed to investigate the increased risk of ICP in nonbiological relatives.

Pre-Existing Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and KidneyDisease as Risk Factors of Pre-Eclampsia: A Disease of Theories and Its Association with Genetic Polymorphism

Pre-existing diabetes, hypertension and kidney disorders are prominent risk factors of pre-eclampsia (PE). It is a multifactorial pregnancy disorder associated with high blood pressure, proteinuria, and multiorgan failure, which develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. It is one of the most feared pregnancy disorders, as it consumes thousands of fetomaternal lives per annum. According to clinical and pathological studies, the placenta appears to be a key player in the pathogenesis of PE; however, the exact origin of this disorder is still under debate. Defective placentation and angiogenesis are the hallmarks of PE progression. This angiogenic imbalance, together with maternal susceptibility, might determine the severity and clinical presentation of PE. This article comprehensively examines the mechanisms of pathogenesis of PE and current evidence of the factors involved in its progression. Finally, this article will explore the genetic association of PE, various candidate genes, their proposed mechanisms and variants involved in its pathogenesis.