1
|
Fiseha T, Ekong NE, Osborne NJ. Chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology in Africa: A review of the literature. Nephrology (Carlton) 2024; 29:177-187. [PMID: 38122827 DOI: 10.1111/nep.14264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
During the last two decades, an epidemic of a severe form of chronic kidney disease (CKD) unrelated to traditional risk factors (diabetes and hypertension) has been recognized in low- to middle-income countries. CKD of unknown aetiology (CKDu) mainly affects young working-age adults, and has become as an important and devastating public health issue. CKDu is a multifactorial disease with associated genetic and environmental risk factors. This review summarizes the current epidemiological evidence on the burden of CKDu and its probable environmental risk factors contributing to CKD in Africa. PubMed/Medline and the African Journals Online databases were searched to identify relevant population-based studies published in the last two decades. In the general population, the burden of CKD attributable to CKDu varied from 19.4% to 79%. Epidemiologic studies have established that environmental factors, including genetics, infectious agents, rural residence, low socioeconomic status, malnutrition, agricultural practise and exposure to agrochemicals, heavy metals, use of traditional herbs, and contaminated water sources or food contribute to the burden of CKD in the region. There is a great need for epidemiological studies exploring the true burden of CKDu and unique geographical distribution, and the role of environmental factors in the development of CKD/CKDu.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Temesgen Fiseha
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | | | - Nicholas J Osborne
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH), University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Alemany M. The Metabolic Syndrome, a Human Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2251. [PMID: 38396928 PMCID: PMC10888680 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the question of metabolic syndrome (MS) being a complex, but essentially monophyletic, galaxy of associated diseases/disorders, or just a syndrome of related but rather independent pathologies. The human nature of MS (its exceptionality in Nature and its close interdependence with human action and evolution) is presented and discussed. The text also describes the close interdependence of its components, with special emphasis on the description of their interrelations (including their syndromic development and recruitment), as well as their consequences upon energy handling and partition. The main theories on MS's origin and development are presented in relation to hepatic steatosis, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, but encompass most of the MS components described so far. The differential effects of sex and its biological consequences are considered under the light of human social needs and evolution, which are also directly related to MS epidemiology, severity, and relations with senescence. The triggering and maintenance factors of MS are discussed, with especial emphasis on inflammation, a complex process affecting different levels of organization and which is a critical element for MS development. Inflammation is also related to the operation of connective tissue (including the adipose organ) and the widely studied and acknowledged influence of diet. The role of diet composition, including the transcendence of the anaplerotic maintenance of the Krebs cycle from dietary amino acid supply (and its timing), is developed in the context of testosterone and β-estradiol control of the insulin-glycaemia hepatic core system of carbohydrate-triacylglycerol energy handling. The high probability of MS acting as a unique complex biological control system (essentially monophyletic) is presented, together with additional perspectives/considerations on the treatment of this 'very' human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marià Alemany
- Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang C, Wang J, Wan R, Yuan T, Yang L, Zhang D, Li X, Liu H, Zhang L. Separate and combined effects of famine exposure and menarche age on metabolic syndrome among the elderly: a cross-sectional study in China. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:600. [PMID: 37964223 PMCID: PMC10648701 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02737-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have revealed multiple risk factors for metabolic syndrome. However, there are no consistent findings on the association between famine exposure, age at menarche, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. This cross-sectional study aimed to reveal the individual and combined effects of famine exposure and age at menarche on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among elderly women. METHODS Four thousand seven hundred seventy participants between 60 and 93 years of age were selected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Statistical differences between the baseline characteristics of famine exposure, age at menarche, and metabolic syndrome were evaluated using the t-test, F-test, and Chi-square test. Three multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to test the association between famine exposure, age of menarche, and the odds ratio of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS Two thousand one hundred ninety-eight (46.08%) participants had metabolic syndrome, while 2572 (53.92%) participants did not. Furthermore, 3068 (64.32%) women reported onset of menarche under 15 years of age, while 1702 (35.68%) women reported onset of menarche above 16 years of age. Regarding the separate association of famine exposure and age of menarche with metabolic syndrome, in model three, the adolescence/adulthood famine exposure group vs. no famine exposure group odds ratio was 2.45 (95% CI 2.02, 2.97), and the older than 16 years vs. younger than 15 years group odds ratio was 1.23 (95% CI 1.09, 1.39), which was the highest odds ratio among the three models. Regarding the combined association of famine exposure and age of menarche with metabolic syndrome, in model three, among the age of menarche ≤ 15 years group, the adolescence/adulthood famine exposure vs. no famine exposure group odds ratio was 2.45 (95% CI: 1.91, 3.14); among the menarche age ≥ 16 years group, the adolescence/adulthood famine exposure stages vs. exposed group odds ratio was 3.27 (95% CI: 2.44, 4.38), which was the highest odds ratio among the three models. CONCLUSION These findings suggested that famine exposure and age at menarche, either separately or in combination, were positively associated with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among older women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congzhi Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, An Hui Province, Wuhu City, 241000, P.R, China
| | - Jiazhi Wang
- Sports Institute, Chi Zhou College, Education Park, Chi Zhou City, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Wan
- Business School, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, 237 Longquan Road, Kunming City, Yun Nan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Yuan
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, An Hui Province, Wuhu City, 241000, P.R, China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education Park, Wuhu City, An Hui Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Student Health Center, Wannan Medical College, 22 Wenchang West Road, Higher Education ParkAn Hui Province, Wuhu City, People's Republic of China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine Nursing, School of Nursing, Wannan Medical College, An Hui Province, Wuhu City, 241000, P.R, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Association between Early Life Famine Exposure and Metabolic Syndrome in Adulthood. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142881. [PMID: 35889837 PMCID: PMC9316256 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
To analyze the relationship between famine exposure at different stages of early life and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adulthood, 11,865 study participants from the 2015 Chinese Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance Program were enrolled and then divided into a non-exposed group, fetal exposure group, early childhood exposure group, middle childhood exposure group and late childhood exposure group according to their birth time and famine exposure. MetS was defined by the NCEP ATP III criteria. Using logistic regression to explore the association between famine exposure at different stages of early life and the increased risk of developing MetS in adulthood. After adjusting other factors, compared with the non-exposure group, famine exposure during the fetal period (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.00–1.51), early childhood (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.11–1.87), middle childhood (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.13–1.99) and late childhood (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.21–2.30) had a higher risk of developing MetS in adulthood. Stratified analysis found an association between early life famine exposure and the increased risk of MetS in adulthood in females, overweight or obese participants and those who lived in areas of severe famine, in city areas and in southern China. Compared with the non-exposed group, the fetal, early childhood, middle childhood and late childhood famine-exposed groups are more likely to suffer from MetS in adulthood, especially the subjects who are females, overweight or obese and had lived in severe famine areas, city areas and southern China.
Collapse
|
5
|
Impact of prenatal famine exposure on adulthood fasting blood glucose level. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6198. [PMID: 35418574 PMCID: PMC9008050 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, in low-income countries, there have been a rapid rise in prevalence of diabetes among adult population. Hence, understanding the context specific drivers of this change including the impacts of childhood nutrition adversaries on adult metabolic conditions is critical undertaking. This study investigates the potential effects of prenatal famine exposure to the Ethiopian great famine (1983–1985) on adulthood blood glucose level of survivors. A total of 441 adults (222 exposed and 219 controls) were included in the study. Self-reported place of birth and, date of birth and/or age were used to identify participants. A multivariable linear regression analysis was used to analyze the impact of prenatal famine exposure on the level of fasting blood glucose. In linear regression, unadjusted model (Model 1), fasting blood glucose level was increased by 4.13 (β = 4.13; 95% CI .41, 7.42) points in prenatal famine exposed groups, compared with non-exposed. Similarly, the positive association of prenatal famine exposure and fasting blood glucose level was maintained after adjusted for sex (Model 2) (β = . 4.08 95% CI .056, 7.50). Further adjusted for age, residence, educational status, wealth index and family size (Model 3) resulted in 4.10 (β = . 4.10 95% CI .45, 7.56) points increases in fasting blood glucose level. In model 4 adjusting for dietary pattern, physical activity level and family history of diabetes, alcohol and cigarette smoking resulted in 3.90 (β = 3.90, 95% CI 039, 7.52) points increase in fasting glucose level. In the he full adjusted model (Model 5) prenatal exposure to famine was resulted in 3.78 (β = 3.78, 95% CI .22, 7.34) increases in fasting blood glucose level after adjusted for BMI and waist to height ratio. There existed a positive association of prenatal famine exposure and adulthood blood glucose levels. In this population, establishing effective overweight/obesity prevention programs to minimize the co-impact of early famine exposure on blood glucose control are important.
Collapse
|
6
|
Abate KH, Abdullahi M, Abdulhay F, Arage G, Mecha M, Yenuss M, Hassen H, Belachew T. Education can modify the long term impact of early childhood famine exposure on adulthood economic achievement: a historical cohort study among the survivors of the great Ethiopian famine 1983-85. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 79:67. [PMID: 33947464 PMCID: PMC8097899 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00564-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background Previous famine studies reported the inverse link between early life nutritional deprivation and adulthood optimal health outcomes. However, there remain sparse data on the impact of early life famine exposure in later life economic achievement. Hence, we set out to examine the association of early life famine exposure on economic achievement among survivors of the 1983–85 great Ethiopian famine. Method A historical cohort study design was employed among 968 adult men and women in the Raya Kobo district, Northern Ethiopia. Participants were categorized into in utero exposed, postnatal exposed and unexposed groups based on self-reported age and birthdate. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and individual assets. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine wealth index as proxy for economic achievement. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the independent effect of early life famine exposure on the outcome. Results In unadjusted model, compared to unexposed cohorts, in utero and postnatal famine exposed cohorts were nearly twice more likely to fall in the lowest wealth category (OR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.40, 2.64) and (OR: 2.12, 95%CI: 1.45, 3.08), respectively. However, these associations became non-significant when adjusted for biologic and demographic variables (P > 0.05). Instead, educational status appeared to have significant association with wealth; those who can’t read or write among in utero and postnatal exposed group were three times more likely to fall in low wealth index category than those who achieved secondary and above level of education (OR = 3.00 95% CI: 1.74, 5.18) and (OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.48, 5.76), respectively. Similarly, those with primary education among in uero and postnatal famine exposed cohorts were twice more likely to fall in the low wealth index than compared to those secondary and above level of education (OR = 2.04 95% CI: (1.18, 3.54) and (OR = 2.17 95% CI: 1.12, 4.22), respectively. Conclusion Education appears to be a significant independent factor to determine one’s economic achievement in the studied famine cohort. This may imply, the possible impact of early life famine exposure on economic achievement later in adult life could be modified through better education. Our findings justify the need of expanding education in hunger spots in general and in famine settings in particular. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13690-021-00564-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalkidan Hassen Abate
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Misra Abdullahi
- Department of Population and Family Heath, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Fedlu Abdulhay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Arage
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, DebreTabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Mecha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Yenuss
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Hassen
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abate KH, Abdulahi M, Abdulhay F, Arage G, Mecha M, Yenuss M, Hassen H, Belachew T. Consequences of exposure to prenatal famine on estimated glomerular filtration rate and risk of chronic kidney disease among survivors of the great Ethiopian famine (1983-85): a historical cohort study. Nutr J 2021; 20:19. [PMID: 33653353 PMCID: PMC7927414 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-021-00675-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of an adverse prenatal environment such as famine exposure on the development of adulthood non-communicable chronic illnesses, including diabetes and hypertension has been well articulated in the recent past and supported by evidence. However, there exist few longitudinal studies conducted on the long term consequences of prenatal famine exposure on adulthood kidney function. Hence, we set out to examine whether prenatal exposure to the Ethiopian Great Famine (1983-1985) was associated with changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) later in adult life. METHODS The study was conducted in 219 famine exposed and 222 non exposed cohorts in Raya Kobo district, North Wollo Zone, Northern Ethiopia. Estimated GFR was computed from standardized serum creatinine using the CKD Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. The definition of CKD includes those with an eGFR of less than 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 on at least in two occasions of 90 days apart (with or without markers of kidney damage). Linear and logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the independent effect of prenatal famine exposure on eGFR and CKD respectively. RESULTS The mean (SD) serum creatinine of exposed and non-exposed groups were 0.78 (0.2) and 0.75 (0.2) respectively. The mean (SD) eGFR of exposed groups was 107.95 (27.49) while the non-exposed 114.48 (24.81) ml/min. In linear regression, the unadjusted model to examine the association between famine exposure and eGFR resulted in a significant negative beta coefficient (β = - 0.124: 95% CI: - 11.43, - 1.64). Adjusting the exposure for outstanding covariates of kidney health, including systolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and blood glucose did not alter the inverse relationship (β = -.114 95% CI: - 10.84, - 1.17). In the unadjusted bivariate logistic regression model, famine exposure resulted in nearly 2.7 times higher odds of developing CKD (OR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.16, 6.2). The odds remained equivalent after adjusting for systolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and body mass index (OR = 2.61: 95% CI: 1.120, 6.09). CONCLUSION In the study setting, prenatal exposure to the Great Ethiopian Famine was associated with decreased eGFR and higher risk of developing CKD among survivors. These findings may imply that famine in early life may play a significant role in the development of kidney dysfunction in adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kalkidan Hassen Abate
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Misra Abdulahi
- Department of Population and Family Heath, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Fedlu Abdulhay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Arage
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, DebreTabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Mecha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Yenuss
- Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Habtamu Hassen
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Arage G, Belachew T, Hajmahmud K, Abera M, Abdulhay F, Abdulahi M, Abate KH. Impact of early life famine exposure on adulthood anthropometry among survivors of the 1983-1985 Ethiopian Great famine: a historical cohort study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:94. [PMID: 33413236 PMCID: PMC7792120 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09982-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nutritional insult in early life brings adaptive changes in body structure and functioning that could remain throughout the affected individual’s life course. The long term impact of early life famine exposure on adulthood anthropometric measurements has been recorded in previous studies. However, the results were contradictory. Hence, we extend this study to examine the impact of famine exposure during early life on adulthood’s anthropometry among survivors of the 1983–85 Ethiopian great famine. Methods A total of 1384 adult men and women survived from 1983 to 85 Ethiopian great famine were included in the study. Famine exposure status was classified into five groups: early life-exposed, prenatal-exposed, postnatal-exposed, adolescence-exposed, and non-exposed based on self-reported age and birthdate of the participants. Prenatal, post-natal, and adolescence exposed groups were considered as early life exposed. Following a standard procedure, anthropometric measurements were taken. A linear regression analysis was used to analyze the impact of famine exposure on adult anthropometric measurements adjusted for all possible covariates. The effect of famine exposure on overweight, general obesity, and abdominal obesity was examined using multinomial and binary logistic regression analysis. Result Compared to non-exposed groups, adult height was lower by 1.83 cm (β = − 1.83; 95% CI: − 3.05, − 0.58), 1.35 cm (β = − 1.35; 95% CI: − 2.56, − 0.14) and 2.07 cm (β = − 2.07 cm; 95% CI: − 3.31, − 0.80) among early life, prenatal and post-natal exposed groups, respectively. Likewise, famine exposure during early life (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03), prenatal (β = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.03) and post-natal life (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.03) was positively associated with increased waist to height ratio. However, none of the above exposures resulted in a significant association with body mass index (P > 0. 05). Additionally, exposure to famine during early stage of life was not associated with increased risk of overweight, general obesity and abdominal obesity in adults. Conclusion Decreased adult height and increased waist-to-height ratio were associated with early life exposure to famine, particularly prenatal and post-natal exposure. These results therefore underscore the significance of avoiding undernutrition in early life, which tends to be important for achieving once potential adult height and to minimize the increased risk of anthropometric markers of abdominal obesity such as waist to height ratio in later life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Getachew Arage
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia. .,Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kemal Hajmahmud
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Mubarek Abera
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Fedilu Abdulhay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Misra Abdulahi
- Department of Population and Family Heath, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kalkidan Hassen Abate
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Arage G, Belachew T, Abera M, Abdulhay F, Abdulahi M, Hassen Abate K. Consequences of early life exposure to the 1983-1985 Ethiopian Great Famine on cognitive function in adults: a historical cohort study. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e038977. [PMID: 32973064 PMCID: PMC7517579 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between early life famine exposure and cognitive function in adults. DESIGN Historical cohort study SETTING: North Wollo Zone, Northeast Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS We recruited 1047 adult men and women aged 30-38 years who had history of early life exposure to Ethiopian great famine. Based on self-reported age and birth date, participants were categorised into famine exposed in early life (prenatal/postnatal) and non-exposed groups. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure of this study was cognitive function in adults after early life exposure to famine. Cognitive function was measured using Montreal Cognitive Assessment-basic. Associations between exposure and outcome variables were examined by linear regression analysis models. RESULTS Adjusted for covariates, early life exposure to famine showed 1.29 (β=-1.29; 95% CI -2.16 to -0.52) points lower cognitive function score compared with non-exposed. Based on subanalysis for timing of famine exposure, postnatal exposure to famine resulted in 2.26 (β=-2.26; 95% CI -3.12 to -1.36) points lower cognitive function score compared with non-exposed groups. Prenatal famine exposure had 1.26 (β=-1.26; 95% CI -2.35 to 0.94) points lower cognitive function score although not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Famine exposure in early life was associated with cognitive functions in adults. While the overall findings highlight the importance of optimal nutrition in early life for brain growth and development, the association observed between postnatal famine exposure and adult cognitive function may indicate the relative importance of learning and experience during early childhood for optimal brain development after birth. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential mechanism behind this association.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Getachew Arage
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
| | - Tefera Belachew
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Mubarek Abera
- Psychiatry, Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Fedilu Abdulhay
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Misra Abdulahi
- Department of Population and Family Heath, Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kalkidan Hassen Abate
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Jimma University College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|